The Prism of My Mind

Poems for 7 Moods

Poetry - General
111 Pages
Reviewed on 11/27/2023
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

The Prism of My Mind: Poems for 7 Moods by Francis Mont is a compilation of original work in a rich variety of styles. The format is primarily in the styles of brief contemplative verse, minimalist, haiku, and free verse. Each of the pieces harkens to the promised mood points while also contributing a unique perspective on the diversity of themes. Communication, in brief, contemplative verse, describes the complexities of human connection and the challenges of understanding and bridging gaps. In minimalist style, Entropy captures a moment in nature, reflecting on the temporary delay in the natural process of decay. The haiku Joy Beauty celebrates the transient beauty of fresh snow, contrasting nature's purity with life's challenges. The free verse piece, Last Man, homes in on the loneliness of the final human on Earth, adding a surprising twist.

Francis Mont invites readers to explore the vast spectrum of human experience through various poetic lenses in The Prism of My Mind and does exceptionally well in making this work approachable in a way that much of contemporary poetry does not. Like a work of art, poetry is deeply subjective, and, as such, there are pieces that will resonate with a reader and others that may not. What makes Mont special is that even when an individual poem doesn't pierce the heart, it certainly stimulates thought and a degree of introspection. The standouts to me are Fog, describing the impact of fog on mood and exploring the dualities of life, contrasting light and darkness, warmth and cold, love and hate; and Wisdom, portraying life as an ascent up a mountain, where patterns emerge and wisdom is gained through cycles of survival and propagation. It encourages a shift in perspective, moving away from the pursuit of grand designs and meanings to an appreciation of the beauty in the world. Overall, Mont's work is fantastic, and immersing oneself in it is an absolute pleasure. Very highly recommended.

Diana Lopez

The Prism of My Mind talks about the beauty and truth found in our human experiences. Francis Mont focuses on seven main emotions: hope, joy, humor, love, sadness, anger, and despair. He starts by emphasizing how hope can transform ideas into motivation and inspire us to dream without fear. Then, the poet guides us through the range of emotions in his poetry and reflections, even those that might seem negative, such as anger. However, he speaks of these emotions from a perspective of redemption and overcoming, encouraging us to free ourselves from vulnerability. Mont invites us to venture into life, embracing surprises, happiness, and love. Throughout his verses, he also incorporates elements of nature and animals.

Francis Mont has a degree in theoretical physics, but he is also interested in deep questions of science and philosophy. That is clear in this collection because in poems like Dreamers he mentions the dreams of characters like Faraday and Sagan, along with their illusions and goals. At the same time, Mont covers abstract concepts such as love and loyalty. But what I liked most is that his content is personal. He speaks about himself, and through his stories, we see his perspective shift from youth to maturity, all while enjoying life. I also liked his writing style because it is clear and direct. The poems are easy to understand because most have themes that keep one's interest. All these dynamics make The Prism of My Mind ideal for reflecting on different life issues.

Courtnee Turner Hoyle

The Prism of My Mind is a collection of poems by Francis Mont that focus on seven moods. Hope, humor, joy, love, sadness, anger, and despair are at the center of the pieces. The poems are arranged so readers may turn to their current mood or dive into material with a different emotional theme. Most of the poems are in a freestyle format, but some have the musical quality synonymous with end rhyme. The author earned a physics degree, and he lives with five cats, so Mont wound his feelings on these parts of his life into his work alongside whimsical pieces about aging and other musings.

Francis Mont's work may appeal to the wanderer, philosopher, or scientist as he produces thoughts that come to wise minds thinking beyond survival and the daily grind. It's sorrowful and a little alarming that the first poems start with hope, like the emotion we feel as an innocent child, and end with despair, akin to the feeling we embrace when we see the world without our rose-colored glasses. It's easy to see theoretical thinking in his work; he mentions popular names in physics while some of the pieces symbolize the search for knowledge over a span of time with different tools and multiple theories available. Readers will lose themselves in Mont's deep, vivid descriptions and take moments to reflect on and consider the work that discusses the decisions that define you and the choices that divide you. The Prism of My Mind is a great selection for readers who enjoy insightful poetry.

Luwi Nyakansaila

The Prism of My Mind (Poems for 7 Moods) is a collection of thought-provoking poems by Francis Mont. The poems are categorized as Hope, Humour, Joy, Love, Sadness, Anger, and Despair. The collection has themes of life, the past, the present, and the future. The author talks about aging, growing wiser, letting go of hate, appreciating nature, death, human survival, and authenticity. He draws inspiration from his life and everyday living to write about moments that transcend space and time. He encourages readers to be compassionate to one another, embrace differences, and learn to live together in harmony. The author refers to God, the creator, scientists, artists, and loved ones in his poems. Get a copy of this book to enjoy these transforming messages about life and human interactions.

I love reading books that make you view life and the universe from a new perspective. The Prism of My Mind is a well-organized poetry book with a well-thought-out title, book cover, and contents. Most of the poems are written in story form and have amazing messages and plot twists that will make you reflect on life and its unpredictability. Francis Mont takes a simple situation like smoking a cigarette and writes a masterpiece about destiny and fate. I loved how the author compared life to a stream that will eventually flow into an ocean, or a book full of adventure. His views on celebrating our existence and finding a meaningful purpose will uplift and instill hope in many readers. This is a must-have for anyone who loves to read poems about the journey of life.

Iza Grek

The collection of poems, The Prism of My Mind by Francis Mont, offers his take on life, humanity, and the universe. The poems are personal, touching on themes of love and caring, as well as more expansive topics such as science and the meaning of life. Poems range from the deeply thought-provoking to the light and frivolous, such as What’s What, and I Love My Cat, at once simple and profound. Overall, the collection is a vivid and insightful exploration of the human experience. Mont's writing is clear and concise, and he has a knack for capturing the essence of complex ideas in simple, yet powerful language. His poems are imbued with a deep sense of introspection, and he tackles big questions about life and existence.

Albeit not usually a fan of poetry, I recommend Francis Mont’s work as an easy reference to complex ideas, ordered into categories. I particularly enjoyed his description of “Deep caves yawning above in the looming rock face” from Flowerpot Island. He demonstrates a variety of poetic forms from longer prose-like expressions to short two-word lines. The Prism of My Mind is a collection that invites careful reading and sensitive reflection. Each poem is a gem, offering a new perspective on life and the world around us. Mont's writing is wise and insightful, and his words have the power to inspire and enlighten. The poems are a testament to the power of words to illuminate the human experience and this book was a joy to read and mentally digest.