Hurricane Warning by Matthew Ryan Defibaugh features poems about love, loss, and disability written in various forms, including haiku, tanka, and haibun. If you are not familiar with terms like haiku, it simply refers to a certain number of syllables on each line. But it doesn’t really matter, for the words inside this book will carry the reader away into a thoughtful adventure.

When I read the author’s self-description, I was intrigued as to why he would be so open about his disability. But when I read through some of the poetry, I understood why. But don’t get me wrong. This isn’t an author who is immersed in self-pity about his condition and lot in life. He simply states what happened to him without going into painful details, and then he continues with life. And all of this is written in the poems. I found the wordsmithing to be a delight, like music to my eyes. Each word was carefully chosen and wrestled with until just the right meaning came across. I don’t know this author, but I found myself inside his writing and learning about who he is.

Hurricane Warning by Matthew Ryan Defibaugh is a thoughtful and sometimes humorous approach to life and everything it throws at us. But this author does more than just exist with the condition he was born with. He lives through it, continues on, living life to the full. I heartily recommend this poetry collection for those going through the same type of life challenges that the author faces in order to gain inspiration. But I also endorse it for those not affected with similar conditions so that they might be more understanding toward those who do.

Words release tension. Words express emotions. Words relay to the world what we're really feeling and our reaction to it. Poetry does the same; it's an outward expression of what the author wishes to display to the reader. In the book of poems, Hurricane Warning by Matthew Ryan Defibaugh, the reader will be taken into various parts of the author's psyche with over thirty beautiful works. The author's poems are designed to help those who need an outlet to weather the storm within their own lives. These poems range from a few sentences to several paragraphs reflecting many different snippets of life. Matthew uses his words to give life to others. Each poem seems carefully crafted as if the author is sitting down and sharing a cup of coffee or tea and these words with you.

I love poetry and to read the beauty that the author displays in each poem within this collection speaks volumes. The poems like Bars, Texting and Autumn Snowfalls reflect a lot of emotions, from being bound, disabled, and trapped to looking for love that so many of us experience frequently. Poetry does so much for the reader but one thing that is special about reading poetry is that it soothes and tells the reader that they're not alone. If you love poetry and are looking for something special, pick up a copy of this beautiful collection today. Enjoy.