I am a Southern girl through and through and wouldn't trade my Southern roots for anything in the world. Although I'm not from Mississippi like poet Patricia Neely-Dorsey, I could definitely picture myself in the memories she so vividly portrayed in her collection of poetry, Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia. With each poem that I read, I would find myself reflecting on my own childhood and smiling fondly at the memories each piece evoked.

This book is divided into seven sections - southern life, country living, childhood memories, family history, getting personal, intimacies and summing things up. The poems in each section allow readers, whether from the south or not, a brief glimpse into the quirks and idiosyncrasies that make up the uniqueness of the South.

While I could relate to almost every poem, a few that really spoke to me are "Inside Me" (p. 61), "Shades of Lovely" (p. 70-71), "Bookworm" (p. 72) and "Salvation" (p. 73). These pieces of prose touch on the person that I am, the beauty that is me and beliefs that I hold dear.

Poetry is not a genre that I read on a regular basis and I honestly can't say why that is. What I do know is that Dorsey's skills as a poet come shining through in this wonderful collection of real life inspired pieces.

This outstanding work by Patricia Neely-Dorsey is a must-read for everyone. It is a compilation of Neely-Dorsey's poems that's exceptional entertainment and a great read too.

Get the book and get comfortable because when you begin reading her work you are not going to put it down until you finish it.

The writings cover personal and shared experiences from Neely-Dorsey's childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, marriage and motherhood. It is 'a life in poems.' Neely-Dorsey not only writes about these occurrences, she celebrates them. The poems take the reader back to their upbringing and maturation. It was gratifying to read her work as I reminisced about my life. Neely-Dorsey opens your mind and successfully instigates personal reflection and ultimately celebration of the events and occurrences we all have in common.

Her writings are heartwarming, insightful, funny & thought-provoking.

Despite the great title, the book is not just for Mississippians. Anyone, whether they are from the Deep-South, the Mid-West, the East Coast, Mountain States or the West Coast will find they actually share many life experiences with the author. The genius of Neely-Dorsey's book is her ability to not only capture her life in poetry; she also places our lives in the proverbial nut-shell.

The book transcends generations, gender and locale.

GET THE BOOK!

You will enjoy every minute you read this breakout work.
You will recommend the book to friends.
You will read it over and over.
Years from now you will boast about purchasing and reading Patricia Neeley-Dorsey's first book.

Make sure you tell YOUR friends about this excellent book!

Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia-A Life in Poems is a great little book of life and love felt in Mississippi. It takes you back to those grandma and grandpa days in rural Mississippi. Reminding us of our up bringing and the continue love for our beloved home state and those we knew and grew up with. Makes you remember all the great people, foods and places there. Whether it was a dirt road, gravel or even paved city streets. There nothing in comparison to Mississippi. And this book takes you back there. You can enjoy this book whether you are poet or not. It's just that good. Congratulations Mrs. Neely-Dorsey on Poetry in Motion. Savvy Book Club, Jackson,MS

I adore poet Patricia Neely-Dorsey's new book Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia-A Life in Poems. Her's is a good life! The poems are upbeat, bouncy at times, and make me proud to be a Mississippian. They are positive to the core, even the "Right to Vote" which is her parents struggle to check the ballot in Tupelo, Mississippi. It might easily lean to the bitter, but the last stanza of the poem affirms the positive:

It seems almost incredulous
That this was how it was;
But, believe you me, no matter what,
I vote, now, just because.

At times I hear past U.S. Poet Laureate, Billy Collins, in her voice. It is amongst her shorter poems, he stands out such as "Turning 40."

When I turn 40,
I felt so brand new;
I bought a bikini,
And got a tattoo;
For some unknown reason,
I felt more alive;
I can't imagine what'll happen,
When I turn 45.

In the section title "Getting Personal" Patricia wrote a poem based on the many different takes on her name. For example, it begins:

Patty, Patty Cake, Patsy,
Tisha, Trisha, Trish;
I've got more names that I am called,
I can't even begin to list.

In this poem titled, "Name Calling," I want to add two more deserved monikers. She should be called Magnolia after the title of her book; although, I shorten it gladly to Maggie.

I can almost hear her voice reflected through the sounds of southern summers, magnolia trees, southern folk rules, slopping hogs, and shelling peas. Never imagined I would learn as much in such a short amble about molasses talk, or flowerpots made from rims, muscadines ripening on vines, tupelo gum, or how to make cracklings and where the Southern man gets his stroll.

`ole Miss is what I call her... where her grassroots, just as Patricia un-harnesses in a voice spilling like silk magma, stems from simple, basic, uncomplicated country living.

My favorites; Our Place and Southern Man.

Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia - A Life in Poems
Ms. Dorsey has taken her knowledge of the South and put in a book of poety which sings. She shows exactly what it is like to live in the south, know true southern gentlemen and the flow that goes with the southern culture.
She shows the reader the roots which run deep and strong in the lives and loves of a true southern. As as southern author and a true southern child I could relate to all of the poems which she has penned. From Grits, to family Ms. Dorsey has nailed it. She reminds us of a quieter and slower time.
This book is indeed an excellent read for those who are southern by birth, southern by design or want to be. She tells it just like it is.
I give the book five stars

Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia
by Patricia Neely-Dorsey
Reviewed by Marsha Coles
Poetic Monthly Magazine

Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia by Patricia Neely-Dorsey is a 90 page book of poetry published by Grant House Publishers, LLC.

From the very first poem "Southern Life" Ms. Dorsey transfers the reader to an avidly descriptive barbecue with nature's goodness all around. She invites the reader to enjoy southern hospitalities and delicacies making the reader feel as though they are there walking amongst the Magnolias.

Each poem in Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia shows the reader the love for the simple southern life, family, and faith that the authors holds dear.

I suggest this book for a nice leisurely day sitting on the front porch swing. It was an excellent book of poetry and I hope Ms. Dorsey continues to write and perhaps have another book of poetry available someday for her followers.

"Patrica Neely-Dorsey really hits home with her wonderfully written book of poetry

about Southern Living and culture in our beautiful Magnolia State of Mississippi.

Steeped in Mint Julep Tea and smothered with home-made cane molasses and butter,

Dorsey's poems give you the comfort of a long ago childhood where many of us lived

on a farm, attended a country church as well as leaving home for other

destinations. A must read for anyone who loves poetry and looking to rekindle their

Southern Roots."

With Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia, Patricia Neely-Dorsey gives the world a book that is part biography, part rhymes, part imagination but all Mississippi! In a time where most people shun being called "country", Patricia Neely-Dorsey's Reflection of a Mississippi Magnolia embraces all that is Mississippi country living. Before you can even open this collection of poetry, you are greeted with the beauty of a magnolia, Mississippi's state flower.

I spent many summers in the small town of Winona, MS, where my dad still lives. I can say with confidence that Neely-Dorsey is an artist of words. Her images are painted vividly across the canvas of your mind as you thumb through her musings. Her words and rhyme patterns are simple, yet the complex imagery the words evoke will whisk yo down memory lane. I remember the "muscadines ripen[ing] on winding vines" (from "A Country View") and using Vick's Vapor Rub on everything "from arthritis to [a] bee sting" and "on chest or back" (from "Country Cure (All)").

Neely-Dorsey's poems vividly and collectively paint a picture of a life that is simple yet provides rich experiences. From the authentic Southern menu found in "Soul Food Restaurant" to the culture depicted in "Yardsaling", this collection of poetry gives more than a glimpse into lives of the good people of Mississippi. From the "Southern Man" poem where the main character fixes the back fence to the truth found in "If Mississippi's In You", Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia shows a genuine pride in Southern culture.

This is a book that I will treasure owning. I live in the South and I found many personal connections in her poems. All throughout the book, I found myself thinking, "I know someone just like that," or "Yep, that's how it is in my town." It is an easy and fun read! I think this book would be a great gift for a hostess gift, newlyweds, your relatives, or even someone in the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority as the author is and has a couple poems refering to it. It would especially be fantastic if the person is from or has roots in Mississippi. I loved the book and I can't wait for what she writes next!