Farm Family Poems


Poetry - General
90 Pages
Reviewed on 07/02/2024
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Born into a big Italian American family, Michael and Leo Pedretti grew up on a farm, going through colorful childhood experiences that shaped their lives and made them into the men they later became. In Farm Family Poems, Leo and Michael draw upon their experiences and pour their thoughts and feelings into this enthralling collection of poems. The book's first part contains poems by Leo Pedretti, where he touches upon stories that include life with siblings, skating across the Mississippi River, deaths that ravaged ancestors and other family members' lives, birthday wishes to his sister, etc. In the second half of this collection, Michael Pedretti talks about everyday life on the farm, shadows cast by his father, the difference between a hero and a farmer, the game of marriage, and more.

While the authors have different styles, Leo and Michael Pedretti both excel in painting a vivid portrait of their lives and those of their family members with this mesmerizing poetry collection. Farm Family Poems is one of those rare poetry collections that offers readers an unfiltered look into the lives of a big, rural American family and farm life. This is poetic storytelling at its finest. Most of the poems in this collection are intimate and personal, some specifically written about various family members and their relationship with the authors. Yet others will resonate with anyone who has had a taste of farm life. I found the poems very moving, emotionally powerful, and genuinely authentic. As a whole, this is an inspirational poetry collection. Highly recommended.

Courtnee Turner Hoyle

Michael and Leo Pedretti wrote Farm Family Poems about their childhood on the farm. They include glimpses of their experiences and describe their midwestern environment. The poems are written in free form and cover themes of nostalgia, gratitude, death, and remembering late relatives and telling them goodbye. The authors detail family memories, war, traveling, and celebrating loved ones. They touch on milking cows, harvesting crops, and the difference between sunrises in one's youth and older years. The forty-seven poems show thankfulness for their treasured moments and the perseverance that led them into successful adulthood. The Pedretti brothers discuss their family dynamic and the challenges their large family faced as they grew and struck out in different directions.

Michael and Leo Pedretti's words paint a picture of what it was like to wake up and work on a farm. They share hardships and happiness from their youth and talk about going back home after years away. I enjoyed the poems about each of their siblings and how their brothers' and sisters' lives unfolded, even though, sadly, some of them had unfortunate experiences. The Pedretti brothers do an excellent job of placing their readers in a rural setting. I was interested in learning about each of their siblings, and the poems about their parents were interesting and, at times, heartbreaking. The authors describe reality, so not everyone has a happy ending, but they all shared moments of harmonious living with nature. Farm Family Poems is a good selection for readers who enjoy practical pieces with familial roots.

Diana Lopez

Michael and Leo Pedretti come from a farming family, where they learned to appreciate nature and hard work. They acquired values such as respect and kindness from their parents, while from their siblings and acquaintances, they observed how things change over time. They have compiled some of their most memorable experiences in Farm Family Poems. Leo begins by talking about his father and the passing of time. He shares memories of his siblings and describes the conflicts of the era when equality and justice were sought. For his part, Michael reflects in more detail about his parents, siblings, and other acquaintances. He shows us how each generation cares about helping the next and encourages us to let go of greed and enjoy what we have.

It is wonderful how Michael and Leo Pedretti talk about everyday activities and turn their experiences into extraordinary moments. In many anecdotes, you will perceive the appreciation for their loved ones and the longing for family togetherness. Each poem is a tale with a different story that gives you a life lesson. The language is simple but expressive. The details allow you to feel that you are in another era where everyone worked together to help others. There are various anecdotes, from childhood memories to the loss of loved ones, and always expressed naturally. What I liked most was how Michael and Leo Pedretti made memories concrete in a few harmonious words while maintaining clarity. Farm Family Poems is ideal to approach poetry, to instill a sense of responsibility, and to spend good times with the family.