What do you think?
Rate this book
WAVES
Dive into WAVES and embark on a poetic journey of longing, nostalgia, and the ever-changing nature of life – as experienced through the powerful imagery of the sea.
43 pages, ebook
About the author
Autumn Williams
2 books5 followersAutumn Williams is the author of two poetry books: her chapbook "Waves", and her number-one bestselling collection "Clouds on the Ground". Her poems have been featured in Eunoia Review, Flare Magazine, Wildscape Literary Journal, and others. She also earned a silver medal in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. Her work is influenced by the chronic illness she has, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, but is written to be universal. Williams lives in Texas with her husband and their children.
Follow her on Instagram @autumnwilliamspoetry
Follow her on Instagram @autumnwilliamspoetry
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 9, 2026
The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
EDITORIAL REVIEW
25th April 2026
TITLE: Waves
AUTHOR: Autumn Williams
Star Rating: 4
“A simple yet compelling set of poetry, strongly metaphorical, and underpinned with a feeling of ‘yearning’.” The Wishing Shelf
REVIEW
I very much enjoyed this short, simply written set of verse. With ‘water’ underpinning Autumn’s work, this book is very much a lyrical exploration of memory, desire, and life’s constant changes, brought to life through vivid ocean-inspired images. In many ways, the best word to describe this poetry is ‘yearning’; yearning for the ocean and what it seems to represent to the author. I felt this verse summed up Autumn’s feelings rather well:
We drifted
with the waves
together—
laughing—
salt water
on our tongue
There’s a lot to enjoy here, particularly if you love the water and what it represents. Whilst reading it, I very much felt the author’s love for the ocean. Also, as "WAVES" is a metaphor for what chronic illness takes from life, I felt it offered her a respite from life; a way of forgetting illness.
…wish
I could drift away
with the wave
It’s all very melancholy – as poetry often is – and I suspect readers looking for a time out from life will find it thought-provoking and relaxing. Readers who enjoy Healing Words by Alexandra Vasiliu and the wonderful Poems of the Sea edited by J. D. McClatchy will find this book particularly enjoyable.
All in all, a powerful, and often inspiring read.
A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
EDITORIAL REVIEW
25th April 2026
TITLE: Waves
AUTHOR: Autumn Williams
Star Rating: 4
“A simple yet compelling set of poetry, strongly metaphorical, and underpinned with a feeling of ‘yearning’.” The Wishing Shelf
REVIEW
I very much enjoyed this short, simply written set of verse. With ‘water’ underpinning Autumn’s work, this book is very much a lyrical exploration of memory, desire, and life’s constant changes, brought to life through vivid ocean-inspired images. In many ways, the best word to describe this poetry is ‘yearning’; yearning for the ocean and what it seems to represent to the author. I felt this verse summed up Autumn’s feelings rather well:
We drifted
with the waves
together—
laughing—
salt water
on our tongue
There’s a lot to enjoy here, particularly if you love the water and what it represents. Whilst reading it, I very much felt the author’s love for the ocean. Also, as "WAVES" is a metaphor for what chronic illness takes from life, I felt it offered her a respite from life; a way of forgetting illness.
…wish
I could drift away
with the wave
It’s all very melancholy – as poetry often is – and I suspect readers looking for a time out from life will find it thought-provoking and relaxing. Readers who enjoy Healing Words by Alexandra Vasiliu and the wonderful Poems of the Sea edited by J. D. McClatchy will find this book particularly enjoyable.
All in all, a powerful, and often inspiring read.
A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk
August 23, 2026
Having followed Autumn Williams on Instagram for a while, I’ve long admired her ability to capture raw, quiet emotion, but WAVES completely surpasses expectations. It is a breathtaking collection that wraps you in nostalgic longing and the grounding power of the sea.
What makes this book so special is how seamlessly Autumn’s gentle, sensory poetry pairs with the stunning artwork. The cover illustration - a powerful, crashing wave reaching up into a deep indigo sky - sets a hypnotic tone before you even turn to the first page. Inside, the imagery is just as evocative.
Her words have a quiet way of pulling you directly into the scene. In pieces like "Quiet wind stirs", you can practically feel the contrast of the freezing ocean tide against the warm sun on your back, leaving you with that unforgettable sensation of feeling completely alive - ‘like I'm almost flying." Other lines, like "Drops of ocean fall from my skin / onto a warm towel, / while my feet rest / in the sand," evoke such vivid, peaceful memories of seaside solitude that you feel instantly transported.
Autumn has a rare talent for capturing how the ocean calls to us across distances, carrying its pull over mountains, cities, and deserts until all you hear is the steady rhythm of the tide. Combined with the exquisite visual presentation, WAVES is an absolute masterpiece for anyone who finds comfort, healing, or nostalgia in the water. A truly beautiful release from an extraordinarily gifted poet!
What makes this book so special is how seamlessly Autumn’s gentle, sensory poetry pairs with the stunning artwork. The cover illustration - a powerful, crashing wave reaching up into a deep indigo sky - sets a hypnotic tone before you even turn to the first page. Inside, the imagery is just as evocative.
Her words have a quiet way of pulling you directly into the scene. In pieces like "Quiet wind stirs", you can practically feel the contrast of the freezing ocean tide against the warm sun on your back, leaving you with that unforgettable sensation of feeling completely alive - ‘like I'm almost flying." Other lines, like "Drops of ocean fall from my skin / onto a warm towel, / while my feet rest / in the sand," evoke such vivid, peaceful memories of seaside solitude that you feel instantly transported.
Autumn has a rare talent for capturing how the ocean calls to us across distances, carrying its pull over mountains, cities, and deserts until all you hear is the steady rhythm of the tide. Combined with the exquisite visual presentation, WAVES is an absolute masterpiece for anyone who finds comfort, healing, or nostalgia in the water. A truly beautiful release from an extraordinarily gifted poet!
April 13, 2026
"I stare out / into the ocean / and wish / I could drift away / with the waves" (page 5)
WAVES by Autumn Williams is a beautifully put-together collection of short poems.
It’s a very fast-paced read, and the flow is perfect—moving between walking and dreaming; a push and pull (much like actual waves!)
I also love how the color blue is very prevalent, as it also helps tie the themes of love, and almost longing, together. I felt and underlying sense of melancholy while reading this chapbook, but there’s also a lightness there.
My favorite piece is probably the one on page 23, a poem I feel encapsulatesthe mood wholly, opening with: "The ocean leaves / to join the sky" and finishing with "Turning to gray / and then / falling"
WAVES by Autumn Williams is a beautifully put-together collection of short poems.
It’s a very fast-paced read, and the flow is perfect—moving between walking and dreaming; a push and pull (much like actual waves!)
I also love how the color blue is very prevalent, as it also helps tie the themes of love, and almost longing, together. I felt and underlying sense of melancholy while reading this chapbook, but there’s also a lightness there.
My favorite piece is probably the one on page 23, a poem I feel encapsulatesthe mood wholly, opening with: "The ocean leaves / to join the sky" and finishing with "Turning to gray / and then / falling"
February 3, 2026
Really good chapbook - was a nice, short read - beautiful poems!! 🥰
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews