Unfinished Projects

by Alice Osborn

Life is never what you expect it to be. Turns, twists and tragedy and trying to come out on the other side—healthy. This theme is at the core of Unfinished Projects by Alice Osborn. From childhood to motherhood, the sights and sounds of relationships, kitchens, children, varied male characters, and a French mother--every poem is a surprise menu item that merges the commonplace with complexity. Often, her poems tantalize with the suggestion of more to come in detailing a relationship or situation. "There is honesty in all of these poems, an affinity that readers can appreciate and associate within their own realms of life experiences," says Sara Claytor, of Howling on Red Dirt Roads. Immerse yourself in Alice Osborn's brave poetic voice; we all have unfinished projects.

44 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Alice Osborn’s past educational and work experience is unusually varied, and it now feeds her work as a poet/book editor and singer/songwriter on acoustic guitar. In the past decade, Alice has taught writing workshops to thousands of aspiring fiction, poetry, and memoir authors of nearly all ages from 9 to 90 both around the corner and across continents. Heroes without Capes is her most recent collection of poetry. Previous collections are After the Steaming Stops and Unfinished Projects. Alice is also the editor of the anthologies Tattoos and Creatures of Habitat, both from Main Street Rag. A North Carolina Writers’ Network, North Carolina Poetry Society, and North Carolina Songwriters Co-op board member and a Pushcart Prize nominee, her work has appeared in the News and Observer, The Broad River Review, The Pedestal Magazine, Soundings Review and in numerous journals and anthologies. Alice is the musician-in-residence for the Western Wake Farmers' Market who plays Celtic fiddle and bluegrass banjo. She lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, with her husband, two children and four birds. Visit Alice's website at www.aliceosborn.com and check out her music at www.reverbnation.com/aliceosborn.

Reviews

[DougInNC · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can turn through the pages, but you cannot turn off the thoughts and images that Alice Osborn leaves with you. Beginning with a great national tragedy, Alice then plunges you into her world.

Appearing before your eyes are hopes, history, dreams lost and gained, and vivid visions. Deftly turned are the playful phrases that I favor, when “… plastic bags waltz across bare parking lots …” in “Dear Oswego,” and the writer laments “… 15 minutes bumbled from my life …” when “Waiting in the Kmart Checkout Line.”

Peak inside the life of Alice Osborn. Pay attention and you’ll glimpse yourself along the way.

[Andrea Wenger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, Alice Osborn offers poetry both vivid and achingly honest. From the poignant "Color Therapy" to the sweet and hopeful "Erin Dreams," the imagery draws the reader in and steadily blossoms into quiet but powerful emotion. Osborn's unique voice and personal stories provide us all with a glimpse into our shared humanity.

[Mary Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection made me remember why I NEED to read poetry. These poems are concise, well crafted--some are short, short stories--often deeply moving. Osborn is particularly good at capturing seemingly ordinary but significant moments between children and adults. I'm keeping UNFINISHED PROJECTS near my nightstand to read again.

[Catharine H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book of poetry that I have read in many years. I was skeptical, and thought that it would be laborious and difficult to finish. I could not have been more wrong! I made the mistake of starting it late at night, intending to read a couple of pages. I could not put it down until I finished it. I can relate to so much in these poems, from motherhood to dealing with parental quirks, and societal observations. If you have not ever read poetry, start here. Then read Mrs. Osborn's next book, After The Steaming Stops.

[Patrick O'Hannigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alice's voice is always fresh and interesting. This is the kind of poetry collection you go back to after reading it once. As I said in my review of the work for the Amazon web site, the only reason is does not rate five stars is that I reserve five-star poetry ratings for people named John Milton and William Shakespeare.

[Stewart Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

My wonderful and talented friend Alice's poetry is beautiful and evocative. From the 'Sperry shod men with underage girlfriends' of Charleston to the Color Therapy that had me seeing RED in a truly different way. Everyone certainly needs 'more green and second chances'!:) Bravo, Alice!