Gratitude

Two Hundred Short Poems

Poetry - General
212 Pages
Reviewed on 09/16/2024
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Immerse yourself in an enthralling collection of short poems with A.H. Morris' Gratitude. Presented as quatrains, cinquains, or sestets, these poems explore various facets of life and human behavior. Morris provides some valuable insight into the human condition with succinctly worded verses that linger long in your mind even after you've closed the book. While some of these poems are a nostalgic reminder of young love, others delve into the choices that define right and wrong. You will find a vast array of topics touched upon within the confines of these verses, such as feeling regret through the accumulation of bad choices, finding acceptance, reminiscing about the first spark of one's love, defying the laws of physics to draw order out of chaos, searching for perfection in this imperfect world, unrequited love, and many more.

Gratitude is a poetry collection that also functions as an excellent coffee table book or something to relax with and contemplate in peace. A.H. Morris offers readers two hundred short poems whose verses cover some universal aspects of life that every human being can relate to. There is a unique flair to Morris' poetry that instantly grabs hold of your attention and helps you become an observer of life with musings in your head. The abstract nature of some of these poems leaves much room for interpretation, and I think every reader will find their own meaning in Morris' verses. Some of them even feel like affirmations. In conclusion, Gratitude is an inspirational collection of short poems that even readers unfamiliar with poetry can enjoy—highly recommended.

Asher Syed

Gratitude: Two Hundred Short Poems by A.H. Morris is a collection of the author's original work, formatted as a single poem on each page, unembellished and raw in their honest appraisal, without even so much as a title. The poems only range in size by additional lines of verse here and there, but all are single stanzas, and none extends beyond a single page; most are not longer than three to four verses. Morris stylizes in free verse, but the individual pieces themselves have their own unique thematic style. No poem conveys the same message, and this is where the diversity of the great range is felt. Poem 57 whimsically captures the delight and dilemma of being surrounded by an array of sweets in a pastry shop, offsetting what is to follow, whereas Poem 118, in under fifteen words, is able to express a real desire for enlightenment within the ordinary, everyday aspects of life.

It's rare to find a poet who is able to fully envelop depth in such incredibly short form, and yet Gratitude by A.H. Morris is able to accomplish exactly that. I picked it up thinking it would be a light little escape, but it turned out to require more from it than poetry twice its size. As a family, we enjoyed reading a single poem out loud and then describing what it means to us and why it resonates. The powerful expression of Poem 184 was adored by my teenager, who, after looking up 'jerry-rigged', understood that love may not fit the conventional idea of perfection but is resilient, adaptive, and more enduring than any idealized happily ever after. The standout to me was Poem 44 in its concise, almost haiku-like structure, employing brevity and ambiguity, suggesting that nightmares possess a unique grace because they cannot be owned or controlled. In this regard, I'd say the same applies to Morris's work: a concise, unique grace that is unrestrained in every way. Very highly recommended.

Miche Arendse

Gratitude by A.H. Morris is a delightful collection of poems that takes readers on a profound journey of self-reflection and appreciation for the simple moments in life. Comprising two hundred short poems that span various topics, no stone is left unturned in terms of what this collection touches upon. When I first saw the title and synopsis for Gratitude, I was a bit surprised at the number of poems included. However, upon seeing them, I realized the poet really did mean short poems. This did not take away from the impact of the work. On the contrary, I think it gave them even more depth and feeling. Gratitude really showed how impactful words can be and that you don’t need to describe something at length to convey your point or emotions to others.

There were so many poems in Gratitude by A.H. Morris that I found absolutely beautiful in their simplicity, but one of my favorites was poem 152. The moment I read this poem, I felt such a strong emotion come over me. Even up to this moment, I don’t think I could describe what that feeling was but in those eight lines, there was so much meaning purpose and strength conveyed. It was at that moment that I was reminded of why I love poetry so much and why I will always look forward to reviewing poetry books. The ability to convey such strong emotions and weave one's words into something almost tangible can only be found in poems like these.

Courtnee Turner Hoyle

Gratitude is A.H. Morris's book of poetry based on his daily meditations. Written in free verse, Morris pens two hundred poems that seem to chronicle his life until the end. Most of the poems only fill a couple of lines, but they offer a complete thought. A.H. Morris knows how to deliver short poems with metaphors that will move you. In every poet's work, there is a line that grabs the reader, but his brief poems hold the reader as they ponder the gravity of the words and the truth of the statements. To me, this piece was the most profound and left me to reflect on its significance: "In the black pit of night, I walk amongst demons disguised as ones I know and trust." Even the individuals who dissect the meaning behind the verses will understand their brilliance.

Travel with the author through grief, forgiveness, peacefulness, spirituality, awareness, relationship problems, aging, and nostalgia. These poems offer a different perspective and a mostly lovely way to view the world. Busy lives make it hard to devour the written word, but A.H. Morris has paved the way for readers to absorb his thoughts while they are on the subway, while waiting for an appointment, or just before sleeping or after waking. The reader senses Morris's thankfulness for a life full of joys and challenges as he offers his introspective writings. Gratitude is a great selection for readers who enjoy poems that resonate with them long after they've put down the book.

Manik Chaturmutha

Gratitude by A.H. Morris is a collection of two hundred short poems that beautifully capture the ordinary and profound moments of life. Each poem sets the stage for the next and elegantly concludes the preceding one. The poems embrace a romantic ideology, drawing inspiration from everyday occurrences. The anthology mirrors the journey of human life, capturing the innocence of childhood to the complexities of adulthood in lyrical form.

The book is a profound reflection on modern life. It does a great job of showing the longing between two people in love – from those exciting beginnings to the tough times that follow and how lonely one can feel in that space. The poet also makes you think about what life would be like without something or someone to keep you steady, painting the lover as an anchor or a guiding light. The poet also adeptly dives into drifting emotions and wanting to bring back that youthful energy. Employing the recent literary trend of "Instapoetry" style, these poems offer a captivating and liberating delivery within the free-verse genre. Its appeal lies in contemporary themes, easy deliverance, and a format that offers both aesthetic and thematic value. All in all, it's a moving and relatable read that gets you thinking about life's ups and downs and is a testament to the poetic revolution taking over the new age of poetry. Gratitude by A.H. Morris offers a thought-provoking exploration of life's complexities, inviting readers on a reflective journey of introspection and poetic insight.