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Telling Tales of Dusk: A Poetry Book

May 1, 2010 By Rhoda 54 Comments

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Happy May Day!

(Giveaway is Closed)

Southern women have a way of relating to each other and that might be because there is just something about being raised a Southern girl.  We can identify with so many of the same things.

That’s the case with Terri Kirby Erickson’s new poetry book, Telling Tales of Dusk.  Terri contacted me and introduced herself, asking if I’d like to read her book and after clicking around at some sites and reading the word pictures that Terri puts together in her book, I was eager to read it for myself.  Terri was born in North Carolina and has lived much of her life there.  I have fond memories of that sweet state, so I know Terri has to be a great lady.  You can click on the link above to read more about Terri and her books.

I have always wished that I was a talented writer, but unfortunately that is not my strong suit.  Words draw us in like a bee to a flower (see, I try) 🙂  and when I read words that are written exceptionally well, I see that as such a talent.  One that I don’t particularly have, but admire in others.

Telling Tales of Dusk is Terri’s newest book of poetry (in paperback) and Terri is an award winning poet.  Each turn of the page brings a new little short story, written in poetry form that really wraps around your memories and pulls you right into her world.

From Tomato Sandwich, which starts:

Leaning on the counter

by an open window

with tomato juice dripping down

your chin and mayonnaise

gathering

in the corners of your mouth

as soggy, white bread

sticks to your teeth

Now, that feels and sounds so familiar to me, having eaten my share of tomato sandwiches growing up with a gardening dad who made sure if we had nothing else out of that garden, the tomatoes were plentiful and juicy.

Pool Day

Greased up and decked out in new bathing suits, plastic sunglasses and flip-flops, my brother and I waited in line with our mother at the entrance to Tanglewood Pool, clutching rubber rafts and over-sized beach towels with neon stripes you could spot from the moon.  The mingled scents of chlorine, coconut suntan lotion and French fries drenched in tomato ketchup, along with the whoops of joy and continuous splashing sounds that kids create when they’re cavorting in a pool, was enough to send us into a swoon of anticipated ecstasy.  But there were two metal turnstiles we had to pass through after Mom paid the baby-faced cashier.

Can’t you just feel that picture?  I can.  My mom used to take us to a city pool while growing up too, so this takes me back to that excitement. 

Words evoke memories and memories are what life is made up of.

Terri sent me a copy of the book and has graciously agreed to give one of YOU a copy of her book too, so if you’d like to win a copy, just leave a comment here on this post.

Did you like poetry growing up?  I remember having to write some poems for school and my mom actually kept one of my little paper binder of poems for a long time, but I have no idea what happened to them.  I was not destined to be a famous poet, but I do enjoy reading Terri’s words.  They are sweet, eloquent and memory-inducing.

Leave a comment to win and I’ll pick a winner by Monday evening!

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Filed Under: Book review, Giveaway

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Joyce Ackley says

    May 2, 2010 at 9:46 am

    I enjoyed the two poems you posted and would love to read more. Thanks for the opportunity.

  2. theresa says

    May 2, 2010 at 10:48 am

    Poetry..food for the soul…see I try too..but fall so short..I love the written word so much that I just saturated my daughter with it from the time we brought her home from the hospital. She is grown now….with a degree in Creative Writing and a published poet..so proud.
    Thanks for the chance to win this book of poetry. Sounds so comforting and the pool poem and tomato sandwich poems bring back memories!

  3. Amy says

    May 2, 2010 at 11:05 am

    This could be a great start to my summer. You always have the greatest stuff on here.

  4. Gail Grooms says

    May 2, 2010 at 1:18 pm

    Oh, I would so love to win this lovely book! I collect exceptional prose and this is exceptional!

  5. Cindy says

    May 2, 2010 at 1:30 pm

    Both of the poems brought back memories. Especially the beginning of summer with new bathing suits, flip flops and plastic inflatable rings. My parents purchased the Childcraft series (which I still have, just can’t seem to part with them) and the volume on poetry was always my favorite.

  6. Beth K. says

    May 2, 2010 at 2:30 pm

    Hi, I enjoy your blog , especially how you use your thrifty finds! This book sounds wonderful! Thanks for the review! –Beth K.

  7. Sue C. says

    May 2, 2010 at 3:19 pm

    I would love to have one of those tomato sandwiches right now and enjoy it with this poetry book.

  8. Paula says

    May 2, 2010 at 4:23 pm

    These bring back great memories for me too. Sometimes a song takes me right back to a particular summer at the pool.

  9. joanne says

    May 2, 2010 at 4:25 pm

    sounds deliscious!

  10. Cathy says

    May 2, 2010 at 5:43 pm

    Hey, there! I’m like all these other girls – I love poetry…used to write it in my teens. I still have the booklet in my attic and read them from time to time when I’m cleaning up there. Whenever I do, I can recall that specific time in my life and I remember the feelings that prompted the poem! I’d love to have this book…thanks for the opportunity!

  11. lisa says

    May 3, 2010 at 7:13 am

    Sure does bring back great memories, although she looks too young for my memories!

  12. Kadra Ramsey says

    May 3, 2010 at 9:26 am

    I have great memories of growing up at the pool, working in the garden, and mowing the grass in my swimsuit to get a good tan. I would love to have her book to relive those carefree times! Thanks!

  13. Sheila says

    May 3, 2010 at 9:42 am

    I think that if I don’t win this book, I will ask for it for Mother’s Day! The lines written about the tomato sandwich really makes me long for my first one of the season. I always enjoy your posts, Rhoda! And although we’ve never met, I consider you a friend.

    Keep up the good work and have a great summer,
    Sheila Hill

  14. Barbara says

    May 3, 2010 at 7:53 pm

    This sounds like a book I must read! Thank you for introducing me to it.

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Thanks for stopping by! I’m Rhoda, from Atlanta, GA and I love decorating and DIY projects. Decorating a home doesn’t have to cost a fortune and I’ve spent years thrifting at antiques markets and yard sales, finding those treasures that make a home unique. I’m here to inspire and encourage other women to find their own inner creativity. Won’t you join me?

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