Reflections on Life by Donna Fox (HKB) in Review

Since I started my journey on Vocal and found poetry, I have referred to myself as an accidental poet. It was never my intention when joining this platform, but then it took my soul captive and put a gun to its head. I fear it may shoot some day if I ever decide not to pen something poetic. That's something to look forward to, eh?

The funny thing is, I've realised I am not the only one who has discovered a love for writing poetry since joining Vocal. Many, like me, have joined it to chase big-money prizes, to find an audience, and hone their fiction-writing skills. Poetry was a bonus.

One of the best examples of this transformation is Donna Fox (HKB). There was a time when she would have been more immediately associated with fiendishly dark and sobering tales of the best and worst of humanity and beyond. But over the last few years—by way of a coincidence, the amount of time I've known her—she has become a rather wonderful poet. Acrostics are definitely one of her strengths, but she is a dab hand at a beautifully rendered free verse or rhyming piece when inspiration takes hold.

Which is why, when she announced the release of her first poetry collection, I got very excited. Donna is no stranger to the world of self-publishing, having released a stack of fiction titles over the last couple of years. As it stands, I have only bought and read one, but loved it, even though it was decidedly YA, and that is not usually my go-to genre.

But a poetry book is a bit different. Although many of us—including yours truly—put a lot of ourselves into the characters and storylines we create for fiction, poetry will always feel particularly intimate and personal. Reflections on Life is the perfect example of that.

The Actual Damn Review

Reflections on Life is a poetry collection with a theme: life experiences and the emotions they evoke. Which means we get the full tour de force of the human experience—from love and heartbreak, love and laughter, to longing, fear, inspiration, and so much more.

There is so much to love about this book, whether you are a long-term follower and fan of Ms Fox or are new to her creative works. The book is divided into different sections to help you navigate through the smorgasbord of poetic offerings found within this book's pages.

Not only that, but Donna has included a multitude of her own photographs. While many serve as the inspiration for the poems, some also help highlight themes and set the mood.

This makes the whole book feel very immersive. It's more than just wonderfully penned poems; it's a little insight into what makes Donna tick. As those life experiences and the emotions they evoked are very much her own.

It really shouldn't need to be pointed out that, although she is a friend, I have reviewed this book according to its artistic and creative merit, not just because I am cited as a hugely influential force in helping her stick to it and work on her poetry. I am flattered and humbled, but really, I feel I did what anyone should do. I saw her poetic voice blossoming and wanted to encourage that. Just as people like Cathy Holmes, Heather Hubler, and the ubiquitous Dharrsheena did with me when I was a fledgling chancer of poetic swordplay. I just wanted to make sure she felt encouraged and didn't stop.

And she didn't, and now we are here, reviewing her first poetry collection.

The book begins with truly serene imagery that settles you in for the journey ahead:

"Drink in the peaceful scene

All the shades of lovely green

From turquoise to evergreen."

The fake last thought in the form of the inspirational and encouraging acrostic You Matter:

"You never know what a person is going through.

Only what they're willing to share, which

Usually isn't a lot. Unless you're me...

...

I'm a safe place to relay their struggles and be a shoulder to lean on."

Anyone who has confided or had a heart-to-heart with Donna will know this is so very true.

But that fake-out ending is upended by the rather fitting—if you know the woman's rebellious spirit—the rather hilarious haiku-ish sign off: A Flying Fuck.

My Final Verdict

It is probably going to come as no surprise if you've read the review so far that this book gets an enthusiastic thumbs up from me. It is insightful, thoughtful, heartfelt, and full of love and artistry. I am not going to say anything more than: get out there and buy it. By get out there and buy it, I mean get on Amazon and buy it. It's available in eBook and paperback editions, so there's really no excuse.

You will find another link to the Amazon listing for the book and Donna's Vocal profile below.

If you do buy it, you should review it, as the reviews make a lot of difference. Not just for the author but for Amazon and other online retailers—it may make all the difference between someone deciding to click Buy Now and not. It doesn't need to be much, but even a small review can have a big impact.

Thanks for reading!