What do you think?
Rate this book
Poetry of Peace
Cherie Kephart’s Poetry of Peace is a rare and poignant collection of poems that celebrate the decadence and darkness of life, taking the reader through four aspects of ascension: Seeing the World, Through Darkness, Into the Light, and With Peace. Cherie’s masterful command of words, coupled with the complex and captivating topics in every verse, draws us closer to the charms and challenges of the human spirit. Profound and universal, Cherie’s poems are a gateway to understanding what it means to be fully alive.
136 pages, Paperback
Published December 6, 2018
1 person is currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Cherie Kephart
3 books69 followersRaised in Venice, California, Cherie longed to travel and experience the way other people lived. After serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Zambia on a water sanitation and health education project, Cherie returned to the United States with an African souvenir she didn’t expect: a mysterious illness. She fell severely ill and almost died, leaving her with several symptoms that went undiagnosed for many years. This inspired Cherie to write her memoir, A Few Minor Adjustments, taking the reader on a powerful and entertaining journey through her adventures and search for life-saving answers.
Her memoir has won multiple awards and received an outpouring of heartfelt responses, motivating Cherie to write a companion book, The Healing 100: A Practical Guide to Transforming Your Body, Mind, and Spirit. Her third book, Poetry of Peace, is a poignant collection of poems that celebrate the decadence and darkness of life. Her other publications include essays, short stories, and poems in various literary journals and anthologies.
Cherie has earned a master’s in Medical and Cultural Anthropology and has been celebrated for her holistic approach to healing and her willingness to examine her life lessons in her writing. Outside her writing life, you'll find her dancing on the beach near her home in San Diego, laughing for no reason, and meditating with her cat, Jade.
Her memoir has won multiple awards and received an outpouring of heartfelt responses, motivating Cherie to write a companion book, The Healing 100: A Practical Guide to Transforming Your Body, Mind, and Spirit. Her third book, Poetry of Peace, is a poignant collection of poems that celebrate the decadence and darkness of life. Her other publications include essays, short stories, and poems in various literary journals and anthologies.
Cherie has earned a master’s in Medical and Cultural Anthropology and has been celebrated for her holistic approach to healing and her willingness to examine her life lessons in her writing. Outside her writing life, you'll find her dancing on the beach near her home in San Diego, laughing for no reason, and meditating with her cat, Jade.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 10, 2019
Visceral, gritty and laced with rich metaphor, Cherie captures us in these beautiful verses and takes us beyond our usual trance into the very essence of what the earthly sojourn is about — descending into the dark depths which we dread, and tracing back to the Infinity that we discover we really are.
July 22, 2019
So I had read this book by Cherie Kephart, this memoir called A Few Minor Adjustments. I got a lot out of the book, so I entered this contest to win the rest of her books. And I won!
This review is for her poetry book, The Poetry of Peace. In researching information about the book, her bio explained that Cherie has always loved reading and writing poetry. After she finished writing A Few Minor Adjustments, her award-winning memoir, the concept of creating a book of poems appealed to her and this is what came from that.
What I liked the most about this book was the wide range of poems, topically and emotionally. Emotionally, I think “Walking Wounded“ was my favorite, because I related to the feeling of (I have a chronic illness and have experienced this, although I by no means think you need to be ill to experienced the feelings this poem engenders. Indeed as the line shows, ‘I am the giftless neighbor, fallen writer, barren lover, outraged woman in my wretched space,’ the poem is written from a place anyone who’s ever been in pain, physical or emotional, can relate to.
Another element I think Cherie’s book does really well is her use of extended metaphor. The poem “Winter”, for example, explores the seasons relative to the people in the poem and they way they experience their relationship (or don’t, as the case may be.)
From all her life experiences, up down all around, and ending with an epistological poem for everybody in the world called “Gratitude”, Cherie Kephart’s The Poery of Peace has a poem for hearts everywhere.
This review is for her poetry book, The Poetry of Peace. In researching information about the book, her bio explained that Cherie has always loved reading and writing poetry. After she finished writing A Few Minor Adjustments, her award-winning memoir, the concept of creating a book of poems appealed to her and this is what came from that.
What I liked the most about this book was the wide range of poems, topically and emotionally. Emotionally, I think “Walking Wounded“ was my favorite, because I related to the feeling of (I have a chronic illness and have experienced this, although I by no means think you need to be ill to experienced the feelings this poem engenders. Indeed as the line shows, ‘I am the giftless neighbor, fallen writer, barren lover, outraged woman in my wretched space,’ the poem is written from a place anyone who’s ever been in pain, physical or emotional, can relate to.
Another element I think Cherie’s book does really well is her use of extended metaphor. The poem “Winter”, for example, explores the seasons relative to the people in the poem and they way they experience their relationship (or don’t, as the case may be.)
From all her life experiences, up down all around, and ending with an epistological poem for everybody in the world called “Gratitude”, Cherie Kephart’s The Poery of Peace has a poem for hearts everywhere.
January 30, 2019
Raw. Naked. Vulnerable. Beautiful. “Poetry of Peace” is a testament to Cherie Kephart’s passion to express every aspect of herself in visceral prose. Subjects range from rape and illness, to inspirations of happiness and fulfillment. Cherie is certainly not afraid to bare her soul and go where few have the courage to travel. If you are timid at heart, but long to feel connected to the deeper aspects of the self, then this book is for you. You don’t have to be a fan of poetry to enjoy this book.
December 6, 2018
This is a collection of life-affirming, lyrical poems from a woman who has struggled and learned to find true beauty and inner peace in our turbulent world. No need to gild this lily: my favorite poem, the exquisite "Alive," says it all....
I break the glass
climb through a tree
into the seductive sky
shatter, shatter me.
A canyon of hope
awaits the other side
adorned with salvation
alive, alive.
I break the glass
climb through a tree
into the seductive sky
shatter, shatter me.
A canyon of hope
awaits the other side
adorned with salvation
alive, alive.
November 14, 2018
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Poetry of Peace is a beautiful and artistic exploration of deep emotion and transcendence through the different stages of pain, grief, love... life. These poems are powerful and relatable, bringing both deep contemplation and peace to my being as I read them and as I continue to ponder them long after, bring me back to them again and again.
Poetry of Peace is a beautiful and artistic exploration of deep emotion and transcendence through the different stages of pain, grief, love... life. These poems are powerful and relatable, bringing both deep contemplation and peace to my being as I read them and as I continue to ponder them long after, bring me back to them again and again.
December 14, 2018
I’m a big fan of Cheri’s work! I’ve read her memoir, A Few Minor Adjustments, and her Healing 100 companion book, and LOVED them both. When I heard she wrote a poetry book, of course, I couldn’t resist. While I'm not necessarily a poetry fan, I found this work totally heartfelt, honest, raw, and inspiring. I highly recommend all of her writing. Can’t wait to see what she has planned next!
February 2, 2019
I love Cherie’s poetry. This is a woman who has lived through the depths of trauma and darkness and has come through it to not only taste the light but to embody it and share it with the world. The poems take you on this journey of inner exploration and into the essence of your being. From this place of Beingness, her words hit straight to your heart.
November 21, 2018
I’m new to reading poetry, so I didn’t know what to expect. This book surprised me. At the end of reading each poem, I found myself wanting to read the next, and then the next. The writing felt effortless. It took me on a journey and I could feel all the emotions. I highly recommend it and can’t wait to read more.
November 13, 2018
Dear Readers,
With enormous gratitude in my heart, I am excited to announce my new book, Poetry of Peace. I invite you to delve into the depths of darkness and find your way out in the light, with peace, as you travel with me through life's perilous and yet beautiful journey.
Once you've read it, I would be delighted and honored if you would write a review and also get in touch and share your thoughts. For me, writing is about connection, and with poetry, we get to go deeper.
Thank you and may you have peace in all aspects of your life!
With peace and light,
Cherie
With enormous gratitude in my heart, I am excited to announce my new book, Poetry of Peace. I invite you to delve into the depths of darkness and find your way out in the light, with peace, as you travel with me through life's perilous and yet beautiful journey.
Once you've read it, I would be delighted and honored if you would write a review and also get in touch and share your thoughts. For me, writing is about connection, and with poetry, we get to go deeper.
Thank you and may you have peace in all aspects of your life!
With peace and light,
Cherie
August 26, 2023
Heartfelt, relatable, and plainspoken poetry that touches on feminism, fatigue, and the fire inside every woman.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews