Book Review: Tower Road: Devotionals

Tower Road: Devotionals. Kaya Black, Eresh Press, 29 September 2022, Paperback, 67 pages.

Reviewed by Gail Galvan.

My first look and impression at this author’s literary treasure, as I saw the striking cover, inside formatting, interjected quotes, and began to read—was the following. I felt as if I had opened a small music box of words in which a literary ballerina was twirling her way into my heart and mind. I like the simplicity and size of the book also. For a work of poetry, it’s the perfect length.

Kaya Black is not only an evocative poet; she is a storyteller, too. Profound thoughts, stark images, themes of love, loss, disappointment, rage—she tackles so many different emotions and scenarios. 

From Tower Road and Tower Road Beach, intimate and heartfelt devotionals are shared. I’ll admit, at times I’m not quite sure of the meaning behind some of the words or a group of words, but holistically the poetry is always intriguing and thought-provoking. For instance, I had to look up “Over Soul” (a divine spirit supposed to pervade the universe and to encompass all human souls). Her line was: “We walk with the Over Soul, alone at Tower Road Beach.” There were other times, too, which happens often with me and poetry…even being a poet myself…when I just don’t seem to know what meaning I am supposed to comprehend. 

Much of her writing exudes a spiritual (ghost-like) quality and the literary content runs the gamut from smooth, easy-going sentiments of tender love to rejected yet steadfast yearnings, and even on to serious matters of an abducted, then released, damaged 14-year-old who is unable to heal and suffering from mad energy. Another interesting poetic “storyline” deals with a love connection with an Amish person (it seems) and how outcast the lover feels. 

Tower Road abounds with poetic heartbeats and tugs at universal heartstrings. I can almost visualize the ballerina dancing and hear a harp in the background. Don’t miss it! Here’s a sample:                                         

“Sing through this vessel.
The I’s immaterial. 
Lives are collections
of sunken shards.
Breakage returns us
to beach sand
Give me your hand.
There are miracles
under
the water.”

On a final note, I know the author “reads books, writes words, and loves the Earth,” but is she really a native of Selidor?