What do you think?
Rate this book
So Runs the Water: life's journey, in verse
The poet titled this book So Runs the Water because water runs through our lives in so many different ways. Our lives are amorphous; they move and change from day to day, month to year, and year to year. Running water is also amorphous. If we were to take a sample of creek water every hour, for example, and analyze its mineral content, we would find no two samples exactly alike. The same thing goes for the design of snowflakes. No two are ever exactly alike. water is more than a spiritual thing, it's a spiritual encounter--and this collection of poems about water in all its aspects gives readers new insight on something we take for granted.
130 pages, Paperback
Published May 9, 2017
1 person want to read
About the author
Tom Mach
28 books16 followersTom Mach wrote three successful historical novels, Sissy!, All Parts Together, and Angels at Sunset (his most recent work). In 2011 Sissy! and All Parts Together were listed by the Kansas State Library as worthy to be included among the 150 best Kansas books (which would include authors such as Truman Capote and Laura Ingalls Wilder). Sissy! won the J. Donald Coffin Memorial Book Award while All Parts Together was a Best Books Award Finalist. Angels at Sunset received 5-star reviews and was also a Finalist for the International Book Award. On March, 2012, the state of Kansas issued a proclamation honoring Mr. Mach for his help in recognizing the 100th anniversary of the 1912 passage of Kansas Suffrage by proclaiming 2012 in honor of his book and officially calling it the “Kansas Angels at Sunset Centennial.”
His poetry collection, The Uni Verse, won the Nelson Poetry Book Award, while Sissy! won the J. Donald Coffin Memorial Book Award. Mr. Mach has written numerous other books as well--including a collection of short stories entitled Stories to Enjoy.
Tom was a former copywriter, editor of two magazines, conducted writing workshops in Ohio, California, and Kansas, and taught writing at KU’s Continuing Education Program. In addition to numerous articles he has authored in national and regional publications, he was past president with the California Writers Club and the Kansas Authors Club. He won the Jack London Award in California and a Service Award with the Kansas Authors Club. He currently resides with his wife in Lawrence, Kansas—where he is also involved in volunteer work to help children with their writing skills.
His website is www.TomMach.com
His poetry collection, The Uni Verse, won the Nelson Poetry Book Award, while Sissy! won the J. Donald Coffin Memorial Book Award. Mr. Mach has written numerous other books as well--including a collection of short stories entitled Stories to Enjoy.
Tom was a former copywriter, editor of two magazines, conducted writing workshops in Ohio, California, and Kansas, and taught writing at KU’s Continuing Education Program. In addition to numerous articles he has authored in national and regional publications, he was past president with the California Writers Club and the Kansas Authors Club. He won the Jack London Award in California and a Service Award with the Kansas Authors Club. He currently resides with his wife in Lawrence, Kansas—where he is also involved in volunteer work to help children with their writing skills.
His website is www.TomMach.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 1, 2017
Tom Mach, Kansas award winning author and poet, takes us on a delightful journey in his newest poetry book titled So Runs The Water, subtitled life's journey, in verse.
We learned in school that water is one of the four elements of the world, the others being earth, air and fire. Mr. Mach explores water in numerous forms. The book appears to be one lengthy, free verse poem but has been divided into sections. Each section can stand on its own but relates to water and how it runs through his life and ours; thus it is a part of the whole book.
A few of the myriad sections are clouds, winter, children, a fountain of ideas, pieces of past, and what if? There are many more, all of which the reader can relate to. Each section can stand alone but is also a part of the greater work. All feature water in some way.
The poetry is of the real world but also spiritual. It is chock full of fine sensory details, lovely word choices, and appealing phrases. Read a few of my favorites:
Words hunger for the touch of a pen/held by drifting minds of poets
Water also takes on many roles/in many forms of running,/pounding rain, scorching steam/thundering waterfall, angry ocean/But peace and stillness is its best role.
Ten-year-old Tom, waiting on a pier/for sunrise and fish
...and pieces of his past/drifted before his eyes like leaves.
Mr. Mach has achieved simplicity but also power in the words he has chosen to relate what water means to our world, to him and to us. There are memory triggers sprinkled throughout along with bits of history and literary references. The poet does take us on a life's journey as the subtitle promises.
The cover of the book, front and back, made me want to read what is inside. It appeals with amazing color, the photo scene and the title. Check out the full front and back cover at the poet's website.
You can order the book from Amazon. I know this is a book I will read multiple times.
We learned in school that water is one of the four elements of the world, the others being earth, air and fire. Mr. Mach explores water in numerous forms. The book appears to be one lengthy, free verse poem but has been divided into sections. Each section can stand on its own but relates to water and how it runs through his life and ours; thus it is a part of the whole book.
A few of the myriad sections are clouds, winter, children, a fountain of ideas, pieces of past, and what if? There are many more, all of which the reader can relate to. Each section can stand alone but is also a part of the greater work. All feature water in some way.
The poetry is of the real world but also spiritual. It is chock full of fine sensory details, lovely word choices, and appealing phrases. Read a few of my favorites:
Words hunger for the touch of a pen/held by drifting minds of poets
Water also takes on many roles/in many forms of running,/pounding rain, scorching steam/thundering waterfall, angry ocean/But peace and stillness is its best role.
Ten-year-old Tom, waiting on a pier/for sunrise and fish
...and pieces of his past/drifted before his eyes like leaves.
Mr. Mach has achieved simplicity but also power in the words he has chosen to relate what water means to our world, to him and to us. There are memory triggers sprinkled throughout along with bits of history and literary references. The poet does take us on a life's journey as the subtitle promises.
The cover of the book, front and back, made me want to read what is inside. It appeals with amazing color, the photo scene and the title. Check out the full front and back cover at the poet's website.
You can order the book from Amazon. I know this is a book I will read multiple times.
June 20, 2017
In this remarkable book of poetry about water ("It's a physical thing. It's a spiritual thing.") each section is its own sparkling and refreshing group of facts, thoughts, and emotional journeys. In Tom Mach's poetic words, you'll find evocative verbal illustrations of his basic thoughts on water, what it's meant in history, in the arts, as well as its importance in our spiritual lives and emotions. This book of enthralling poetry will give any reader the opportunity to think of this ever-present compound molecule as never thought of before. Water can be so many things besides a thirst quencher or a dirt remover. Find out for yourself by reading "So Runs the Water", it's a treat!
June 12, 2017
Beautiful cover sets the mood for the flow of contents—poems embracing the theme of living water along with natural water. Inspirational in every respect.
I was given a copy by the author and was so impressed I have purchased another copy to give to a poet friend. I recommend this book for poets and non-poets alike.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews