Betty May has put together a very personal selection of verses that cover so many aspects of her life and faith. It is difficult sometimes to get a clear picture of someone just from their writing, but at the back of this volume there are eleven pages of photos, each page a composite of five or six small photos of different shapes and sizes. They start with parents, then sporting teens, boys and motorbikes, parenthood, holidays in geothermal resorts and foreign parts before reaching grandchildren and old page. They are a perfect accompaniment and in their own special way say more about the author than pages of words ever could. You see a whole lifetime.
The poems themselves are divided into eight sections, each one introduced by a lovely colour photograph. There are inner voices, coastal reflections, places, memorials, numbers, nature and reflections on the future. Betty explores her faith and her life along with many of the places and people she has encountered.
I think perhaps my favourite poem from the collection is called ‘Decommissioned’. It creates a great deal of atmosphere and feeling with its simple lines and words. This is Betty’s style.
Decommissioned
In a convent chapel
Hidden in the west
Taken was the Altar
And all that once was blessed
Although the walls were strong
Silenced was the song
Of the souls
Who worshipped there
Heads bowed
Reverently in prayer
The shape of faded diamonds
All that’s left to share
In an empty chapel
Of that convent bare
Reviewer: Marcus Hobson
Published by Write Answers. RRP $29.95