A Cartload of Scrolls by James P. Lenfestey is not your average book of poetry. Whether you consider yourself an avid or reluctant reader of poetry, you’ll find great joy in discovering Lenfestey’s eight-line verses crafted after the style of ancient Chinese poet Han-Shan. How do I know this book will please even the reluctants? My sixth grade teacher, that’s how I know.
Before the sixth grade, I loved poems, albeit the ones written for children. I loved the rhythms, the word choices, the stories they told. But Mrs. Script changed all of that with a torturous school year of poetry memorization and recitation, sometimes in front of the class, other times in front of the entire school. Not enjoyable for one self-conscious little girl who sat in the back of the class. I thus became a “reluctant” when it came to poetry.
And so my thanks goes out to James P. Lenfestey, who has put me to poetry rights once again. I was immediately drawn to his collection of 100 poems and knew I had to review it. Maybe it was the premise of the book – Lenfestey’s love for Han-Shan’s 1,200-year-old work, driving him to write over 30 years’ of poems in response. Or maybe it’s the everyday, relatable, and often humorous tone of these short gems, but I relished each one. With titles like “Yelling at Birds” and “To the Gnat Drowned in my Wine at Lunch,” how can I not help picking the book back up just to reread a favorite? Yes, this is friendly, accessible poetry that manages to convey everything from humor to beauty in just a few lines. This is poetry for everyone.
If you’re reading this review and thinking you’d like to have A Cartload of Scrolls, either for a gift or for what ails you, I’ve got an extra copy to give away. Just leave a comment telling me what intrigues you about the book, and a winner will be chosen at random on 12noon EST Wednesday, March 12, 2008. For even more ways to win and for contest rules, click here.
Published by Holy Cow! Press.
A new way to do poetry, I like it! Great giveaway! Count me in. bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com
i am intrigued, not a big poetry lover but i think this book could change that…
I think I would like this book because I am a reluctant poet.
I love poetry, but just can’t get into the classics. This seems to be right up my alley.
By the two titles that you mention, this book sounds like something that I would really enjoy. I love all types of humor, and I would appreciate your consideration. Thanks
Very interesting!
I have recently become more interested in poetry and would like to explore this book.
I’m not a big fan of poetry, but I do love reading, so I’d love to give it a read.
i’ve always loved poetry.
i used to compose them way back in my elementary years of schooling.
poetry has a way of communicating and touching one’s very soul. i hope this book will also give everyone
the chance to touch them.
hope to snag a copy ‘coz it
would be nice to have one.
ivan[dot]manalansan[at]gmail[dot]com
ps. i also subscribed to your blog feed.
never owned a book of poetry – would love this
looks like a great read.
I love poetry. I would love to have a copy of this book.
I love verse, and poetry is what
continues to feed my soul.That
is why I would be interested in
this book.To me poetry is like
pieces to the bigger puzzle and
such is life
What intrigues me is that the poems are in the same style as that of an ancient Chinese poet.
This seems very intriguing. I would love to read more about it.
Poetry gives me reasons to think
have not read it but would love to
The author’s inspiration for the poems-the 1200 year old Chinese poet Han-Shan intrigues me. It would be interesting to see how a modern poet is influenced by writings of an ancient poet.
Thisi would a great reading piece! Thanks for the opportunity to enter!
this would be a great piece to read
need to read