Whispers, Tears, Prayers and Hope

Without even looking inside this book of poetry, the title tells me that the author Ed Roberts is writing from his heart and the deepest recesses of his soul. Whispers, Tears, Prayers and Hope is one of those books that cries out to be read, a book that bares the author's soul as he writes, not only to cleanse himself but also to help others who are experiencing similar traumatic experiences. This is a book that should not be read in one sitting; each poem should be thoughtfully perused at leisure...in order to garner the most benefit. With that in mind I'm taking my time reading this little treasure. While many of Roberts' poems are dark and deep, others are light and loving, but all are hope-filled like this poet's soul. So far I've read the lighter ones, postponing the deep thinking until after the Holiday Season. My favorite so far is "Wings of an Angel," a poem depicting the deep, abiding love of a man for his wife, but even this one appears to have a hidden, dark meaning. It definitely leaves one with "food for thought." Roberts covers many areas of life in his poetry, from drugs, war, rape, and abortion to love of family and home. While some of the poems are hard-edged, Roberts always wields a gentle, hope-filled pen, espousing his helpful intent, offering hope. Other poems are poignant and prayerful. All are honest! Even when it's obvious his heart is bleeding, this poet retains hope and faith, encouraging readers to do the same. At the back of Whispers, Tears, Prayers and Hope, Roberts includes some testimonials he received from people whose lives were changed through reading his words. There is no higher recommendation than that. As one friend said, "Ed ignores the rules of classic poetry, delving into political and social themes...letting the message become the art." I agree with that assessment. These poems are definitely evocative. I hear that this book has been recommended for a Pulitzer Prize. I'm not equipped to judge in that league, but I certainly wish Roberts the best of luck. END-NOTE: The cover states this as a collection of poetry and song lyrics, but the formatting didn't distinguish between the two. I'm curious about that oversight. Reviewed by: Betty Dravis, December 2008

Chase Von, The Publisher is posting on behalf and at the request of George Manos, founder and owner of The Popular Poetry Web Site; Poesy. I feel the following observations would be worth noting in this review: "I received your book yesterday and finished it today, I had read many of the poems but found many new ones (or ones I had not read) as well. Towards the end I felt the writing was reminiscent of the earthiness of Hemingway (I read a complete collection of his short stories), the feel he had for the common man and his bond with the earth and all myriad experiences people endure in this world. What he put so perceptively into prose you have put into poetry, Ed." This is the type of collection that you can consider a slice of the daily ordeals of humanity; despondency, alienation, political and societal breakdown and malaise that devolve into the cultural and moral crises of suicide, substance abuse, domestic violence, the right to life, and includes international issues such as spirituality, war, fatwa, and even suicide bombers, His work also embraces current political issues such as hunger, both domestically and globally, our sordid history of racism and an introspective look into our fraying ecological balance. He also tempers this with paeans to his own love and the joy of life itself. This may seem an overly sweeping list, but consider the statement from a person who is cited on the back cover jacket of Ed's work: "A friend of mine here at (sic.) University of Amman shared with me your poetry. I was PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organization, editor's note). By stopping me you have saved many..." At the end of this collection, "Whispers, Tears, Prayers, and Hope," the pages upon pages of comments by his readers corroborates the profundity, self-examination, remedial aspect and compassion of his poetry: On "Where Will You Be After": "Wow! As a recovering alcoholic I can soooo relate!..." On "My Greatest Horror (II)": WOW! This is so moving!...My daughter is 15 and learning about the Holocaust in school right now...Thank you for educating the world on this cruel unfair time in our world..." Ed's work strikes a common chord in our humanity that is a rare gift and his use of poetry as the medium makes it particularly powerful and persuasive. I want to end by observing this is not mere free-style, holistic, or blandly therapeutic verse, but a modern form of social, political, cultural, and moral critique that creates a new poetic genre in itself. One may rightfully conclude that this style, both because of its originality and contribution to improving the human condition, should be considered for the highest award such as a Pulitzer Prize. As Ed's work has been so nominated, I give permission for this review to be used to support his nomination and wish you the best, Ed! George Manos

Ed Roberts is one of those quiet folks who, without brouhaha or hype or inflated pomp, simply elects to share his thoughts gathered from observing life with a keen eye that have been mulled over until they casually spill onto the page as 'poems'. This collection of supportive thoughts and heartfelt caring advice is titled WHISPERS, TEARS, PRAYERS and HOPE and to attempt to define it further would defeat the concept of Roberts' intentions. He has found a colleague in Chase Von who wisely elected to publish this collection, and for those who are familiar with the publisher's own works (''YOUR CHANCE TO HEAR THE LAST PANTHER SPEAK' etc), the bond will make sense. Knowing that this is one book the 'usual negative commenter team' will viciously attack should not prevent even the more sophisticated reader from exploring the pages of this book: a hefty dose of Ed Roberts' musings might resolve some of those angry people's drive to destroy other people's opportunity to make their own decisions. No, this is not 'great poetry' of polished form, cadence, or style. Those attributes, much as we love to encounter them in the form of works by TS Eliot, Auden et al, are not the goal of Ed Roberts. The pages of this book are filled with well structured condensed messages about struggling with alcohol, drugs, war, hate, family fragility, abuse, death, and questions about spirituality, tough choices such as right to live, the seemingly impossible attempts to aid hunger at home and abroad, and the saving of the planet, as well a some of the loveliest thoughts of beauty and passion and love available to the reader today. So this collection of simple, straightforward, embracing thoughts serves as the kind of support we all need at one time or another. To put these poems in too critical a light would be a disservice. As in the author's words - 'Today the world stands in need of so many things/ My simple prayer/ Is that you might find at least a little of what you seek/ Here among the pages of my life'. WHISPERS, TEARS, PRAYERS and HOPE is a gift, a timely one, and it deserves to be read by everyone who has a human spirit. Grady Harp, December 08