Kiss Off: Poems to Set You Free

Have you ever picked up a book and felt it was written especially with you in mind? This is the exact feeling I experienced in reading Mary D. Esselman and Elizabeth Ash Velez's Kiss Off: Poems to Set You Free. These ladies masterfully crafted a small book into a mini doctor's manual where I was able to look up whatailed me: broken heart, messed-up family, elusive career- and receive perfect poems to treat my pain. By reading this book, I rediscovered my true self and true direction. The strength and inspiration of this book captures the true essence of life. I feel this book is the stepping-stone a person needs to reach the top of their world. Once you read it, you will find that you keep it close at hand to refer to often when you need a shot of happiness and strength. This book will guide you through those difficult times when life decides to throw you a curve.

What a wonderful collection of new and classic poems! This volume is a great companion to "The Hell with Love;" In fact, I like it better. Some of the poems here are saucy(Catholics beware); some are sweet. All lend themselves to the authors' insightful gaze into the human condition. This is a book to share and talk about -- even for those for whom poetry is still an unknown adventure. I recommend it be read along side the first volume, and can't wait for the next offering of these two wonderful writers.

I bought this book expecting to be disappointed; no sequel, I thought, could live up to the wonderfully funny and moving first offering by these women, "The Hell with Love." But the suprise was on me. "Kiss Off" is truly a better collection, warm and funny, with classic verse on one page and contemporary on the next. This anthology is also a testament to the enduring gift of poetry through the ages, as well as its relevance to everyday lives led by everyday people. Thank you, authors, for bringing poetry once again to pedestrian lovers of literature like me. We are taking it up in our book club next month, knowing it will spark great discussions and bring new insights about our lives, our loved ones and our world. Amazaon patrons, Give it as a gift to your best friends, but first buy a copy for yourself.

Who are these funny women who collect such greaat poems and then explain them to the pedestrian world? They should have their own talk show or perhaps tour in stand-up. I ordered this book on-line with some fear that it would not be as witty and wise as the first volume -- The Hell with Love. It is more of the same but much more appealing to those for whom love is a given in their lives. Highly enjoyable. We're passing it around the day spa and adding it as a key reference text for our ongoing discussions about the relationships that work and, especially, the one's that don't. I love Kiss Off.