Poetry from the Field

by Gina McKnight

Librarian Note: See Alternate Cover Edition HERE.

"Poetry from the Field" takes you around the farm, through the countryside, and into the forest. Ohio poet Gina McKnight invites you to sit under a sycamore tree and along the banks of Monday Creek. Journey along the well-worn path to the barn, to the stables, and a place in the hay. Find joy in the company of bees, birds, trees, and rain.

Genres: Poetry

54 pages, Paperback

Published October 3, 2016

About the author

Living in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains promotes inspiration and passion for creative writing; children's literature, poetry, freelance, and more. Gina is a graduate of Franklin University/Leadership Scholar/BA, Columbus, Ohio. Writing at an early age, an avid reader and lover of words, Gina continues to be encouraged by her horses, neighbors, family and friends.

Reviews

[Neha Mahamood · Rating 2 out of 5]

Firstly a big thank you to the author for not just sending this book my way, but to also send a lovely card and a beautiful bookmark! I loved that extra personal touch!

I really liked how the poetry in this collection takes us on a wonderful countryside journey and it really captures the wilderness of the forest and the horses and all things outdoors.

I didn't however like how almost every poem was trying too hard to rhyme. I understand each poet has their own style and I admit this is a personal issue and not to discredit the poet's artistry. But having read other styles, I didn't like the constant rhyming.

Either way, I would recommend picking it up. As the writing style aside, it was a good collection.

[T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

If the Poet is "the bearer of human longing" as Hesse wrote, then poetry should be an exploration of that Solitary fact. If we think about the need for a deliverance from the "limited ways" of our emotion and perception as Jim Morrison considered, there is a necessity to the removal of the "mind forged manacles" that Blake discovered. Poetry should contain the liberation of the ordinary. The poems in Poetry from the Field are transcendental, they also bring one early to "the gift of tears" as Bishop Seraphim Sigrist called it. I make this notation after two poems read at first glance (which is always a good sign). Gina McKnight has written a beautiful collection of "heartsongs" that remind me of much of Mattie Stepanek's work in terms of clarity and light. The book begins with a Pslam and the poems are to be read in the same light I think, taking time for a Selah between each page and enjoying the lovely art work as well.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautifully packaged (thank you!); received as part of a Goodreads give-away.

Like one of the other reviewers, I found this evocative of a rural journey, but with a sense of 'trying too hard': the naturalistic setting(s) a little undermined by a style which was less natural in feel. There's good writing here, but perhaps a little too tightly constrained: the sense of 'effort' that comes through fights against the larger/grander settings built within the poems.

Worth a read (everyone should read more poetry!)

[John Greenwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Gina for this copy, which I won as a Goodreads giveaway.

This is a lovely collection of poetry inspired by the natural wonders that surround us. I live in a relatively rural area in England, so was pleased find commonality that felt so close to my own experience - despite the many miles and time zones that separate us!

Thanks again, for an enjoyable reading experience.