Heart songs come from many sources. We welcome those of love, whether romantic or platonic. Our life experiences evoke other songs, whether bawdy, prideful, humorous, sad, happy, terrifying, or in joyous dance — the heart’s percussion, riffs, and chords changing in response to each experience.
Poetry can capture them all, permitting the intimate sensual and intimate virtual to blend. In this book, think of the poems as the author’s sheet music — records of the heart’s songs.
Reviewed by Susan Violante for Reader Views (11/2022)
I took my time with “Heart Songs” by Dennis Maulsby. How many times did I go through this little poetry book? Only the book’s worn-down cover knows. “Heart Songs” is precisely what its title describes. It is a group of songs captured straight from its author’s heart. In it, readers will not only read the lyrics but also feel the raw vibrations of its music. From peaceful, deep, loving feelings; to little moments of light pleasure; to everyday life; to raw and painful realities of war. Yes, this collection is presented as a little book of poetry, but within its pages, the readers will find the big emotions of a life that has seen its share of horror, beauty, pain, and happiness. These songs will give readers wisdom and appreciation of a heart… a life lived.
Dennis Maulsby’s voice is clear, simple, and raw, presenting not-so-simple topics like war, loss, love, and dreams. I loved this contrast. I loved the little four-sentence verses placed by themselves, acting as tasty spices throughout the book. The author chose different types of poetry to share his heart with readers. Some rhyme, some not so much. Some were more like essays, other standalone verses…. all songs from his heart.
Some poems like ‘Bachelor’s Dream’ made me laugh. Others, like “Midnight on the Deck,” mesmerized me. I found some that for sure will never leave me.
Overall, I found “Heart Songs” by Dennis Maulsby a beautiful little book of songs to be kept next to you to re-read and discover a new melody each time you do. A five-star must-have for poetry lovers! |
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| Author BIO |
| Dennis Maulsby |
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Dennis Maulsby is a retired bank president living in Ames, Iowa, with his wife Ruth, a former legal secretary, and his dog Charlie, a retired CIA operative. His poetry and short stories have appeared in Lyrical Iowa, The North American Review, The Hawai’i Pacific Review, The Briarcliff Review (Pushcart Nomination), and other journals.
His book of poetry, Near Death/Near Life, and a book of short stories, Free Fire Zone, both published by Prolific Press, won a gold medal award and a silver medal, respectively, from the Military Writers Society of America. A collection of paranormal stories, Winterset received an Eric Hoffer 2020 award and was shortlisted for the grand prize. The 2020 Global Ebook contest awarded the book a gold medal. Books released in early 2020 include a collection, The Fantasy Works, and a debut novel, The House de Gracie, awarded Reader Views and Global eBook silver medals.
Maulsby is a native of Iowa and a graduate of Marshalltown High School and Grinnell College. A US Army Vietnam veteran, he served with the 25th Infantry Division. He is an associate member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, the Military Writers Society of America, and a past President of the Iowa Poetry Association.
For more information on Maulsby’s writing, go to www.dennismaulsby.com.
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| Other Publication By Dennis Maulsby |
Dennis Maulsby
ISBN: 9788182539761
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