Book review : Exploring
the Depths: Poems, edited by Janette Fernando
Published by Poetica Christi Press
Reviewed by Dale Harcombe
This is the third poetry book I have read this year and I found
more poems that appealed to m in this collection than in either of the other
two. This is interesting, when you consider that the other two were The Best Australian Poems 2013 and The Best Australian Poems 2012. Twenty
five poems in this anthology were either winning poems from the competition run
in 2013 with the theme Exploring the
Depths or extra poems chosen by the independent judge. The remainder of the
poems which bring the total number to around eighty were chosen by a committee
of poets.
Although the initial starting point for each poem was the
same, the topics and issues covered are as varied as the poets themselves. There were so many poems I enjoyed in this
collection by a number of poets. Interestingly in this collection there were
many more poems written by women than by men.
This is a collection to savour slowly. Some of my favourites
were: Oh Hold Me, 1933, Leaving Warrnambool, After
the Rain, Of a Photograph, Snow Gum,
Immobile, Release, The Dawning, Enduring Love, Guildford Plateau Poplars, La Nuit Blanche, Death of Cold, Winter
Solstice, Anon, A Life, Black Dog, (the Winning poem) Nothing
but Time, Underwater (winner of
the Francis Webb Award,) Until Death,
Slow Dancing, Ascending into the
Depths, and Jacob and Esau. On
another read through I could probably go back and pick out just as many more other
poems that pleased me with their imagery, expanded my thinking or in some way touched
a chord in me.
This collection explores the depths of many and varied life experiences. You'll find such topics as depression, loss, nature,
retellings of biblical stories, everyday life, football, doubt and knowing God. Despite some sad topics this collection is
anything but depressing. Rather it is uplifting showing the hope that can
uphold a person even in dark times.
A smattering of black and white photographs adds to the
attractive presentation of this collection. I am thrilled with the beautiful
photo of a jetty over the water and the rising sun that illustrates my own poem
Grief. 