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Vine: Book of Poetry
Melody Lee is a word artist who weaves thoughts, fantasies and realities into a myriad of themes, from inspirational writings to darker poems. Her poetry and prose range from love and loss, to life, growth and empowerment, written with a bohemian flair, inspired by nature, freedom and relationships. Hence, her new collection of poems, titled Vine, where fairytale and erotica also entwine throughout her work. Melody continues to evolve with her writing, "testing the literary waters" and exploring various genres, but mostly, you will find heartfelt messages, for both men and women, in her latest book, Vine.
144 pages, Paperback
Published June 20, 2018
1 person is currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
Melody Lee
4 books97 followersMelody Lee has published four poetry/prose collections, including Moon Gypsy, Vine: Book of Poetry, Season of the Sorceress, and Lilies & Lace & Dark Pretty Things. Her poetry has been featured live on Shrimp Shack Ipswich Community Radio, based in the UK; A Better Media Today, an online magazine; Creative Talents Unleased; Indie Blu(e) Publishing; and Her Red Pen.
Coming April 2021, Poems for Girls Becoming Women, an anthology from Workman Publishing.
Her books can be found internationally on Amazon, Book Deposity, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, and other major book retailers.
For personalized copies visit MelodyLeeEtsyStore. https://www.etsy.com/shop/MelodyLeeEt... (USA only).
Thank You!
Coming April 2021, Poems for Girls Becoming Women, an anthology from Workman Publishing.
Her books can be found internationally on Amazon, Book Deposity, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, and other major book retailers.
For personalized copies visit MelodyLeeEtsyStore. https://www.etsy.com/shop/MelodyLeeEt... (USA only).
Thank You!
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 19, 2018
I have only recently been introduced to the poetry of Melody Lee and had only read a single piece before I dove into Vine: Book of Poetry, her recently released second book. Vine is divided into five sections: Clematis, Honeysuckle, Jasmine, Ivy, and Wisteria. Lee provides background information about the qualities and lore of each plant, which helped set the stage for each section as well as provide me with some nifty garden trivia.
What struck me from the very first poem This Is How I Know is how beautiful Lee’s imagery is:
‘It gracefully dances up my spine
Gently wrapping around my heart
And I flourish extravagantly’
One of my favorite pieces in the collection is Cunning Linguist, which appeals to the senses. It is multisensory and tactile, with language such as ‘I wear it like luxurious cashmere’ and ‘I gulp, I sip, swallow.’ My favorite line in the whole book also comes from this piece. She declares: ‘I am a book harlot.’ I smiled to myself and said, ‘Me too!’
Vine is filled with sumptuous love poems such as Coffee, which starts with sensuous lines ‘Pour yourself a cup of steaming coffee/honey, then come pour yourself into me’ but also has an edge that I quite liked the bite of. Lines such as ‘but we worship each other/on skin and dirty knees’ from Let’s Be Honest or ‘Sometimes poetry is dark and brutal/has fangs and teeth’ from Dear Reader provide balance to the softer poems in the book.
Although much of Vine is concerned with the ebb and flow of lovers, Lee also has a passionate affair with poetry. Another personal favorite, Dear Reader, displays this eloquently:
‘Don’t say poetry doesn’t make sense
while you are eating the words
as if they are a last meal,
as your backbone curves, as goose bumps
rise on your legs, arms.
That is all the sense poetry needs to make.’
Where Lee’s longer love poems are lush and languid, her punctuations of micropoetry are sometimes pointed and bracing, such as the poem Warning:
‘They should have warned you
that little princesses grow up
to be red rocks and raging seas,
fire dragons and warrior queens.’
I also loved the sly social commentary to be found in Lee’s piece Church with such lines as ‘Truth is, I am allergic to hypocrites’ and
‘If Jesus and His apostles were here,
surely, they would be rolling their eyes,
maybe even tipping over tables,
if you would even allow them and their dirty feet
into your spotless, sterile sanctuaries.’
I finished Vine a firm Melody Lee fan with a keen longing to hear more of her voice, particularly her sharp social observations and pieces such as Insanity Invades Like a Tumor, which starts off sounding like another of her love poems, but quickly turns deliciously dark, bringing to mind the writing of Edgar Allen Poe. Good thing her first book, Moon Gypsy, is already on its way.
Vine: Book of Poetry is available through Amazon and other major retailers
What struck me from the very first poem This Is How I Know is how beautiful Lee’s imagery is:
‘It gracefully dances up my spine
Gently wrapping around my heart
And I flourish extravagantly’
One of my favorite pieces in the collection is Cunning Linguist, which appeals to the senses. It is multisensory and tactile, with language such as ‘I wear it like luxurious cashmere’ and ‘I gulp, I sip, swallow.’ My favorite line in the whole book also comes from this piece. She declares: ‘I am a book harlot.’ I smiled to myself and said, ‘Me too!’
Vine is filled with sumptuous love poems such as Coffee, which starts with sensuous lines ‘Pour yourself a cup of steaming coffee/honey, then come pour yourself into me’ but also has an edge that I quite liked the bite of. Lines such as ‘but we worship each other/on skin and dirty knees’ from Let’s Be Honest or ‘Sometimes poetry is dark and brutal/has fangs and teeth’ from Dear Reader provide balance to the softer poems in the book.
Although much of Vine is concerned with the ebb and flow of lovers, Lee also has a passionate affair with poetry. Another personal favorite, Dear Reader, displays this eloquently:
‘Don’t say poetry doesn’t make sense
while you are eating the words
as if they are a last meal,
as your backbone curves, as goose bumps
rise on your legs, arms.
That is all the sense poetry needs to make.’
Where Lee’s longer love poems are lush and languid, her punctuations of micropoetry are sometimes pointed and bracing, such as the poem Warning:
‘They should have warned you
that little princesses grow up
to be red rocks and raging seas,
fire dragons and warrior queens.’
I also loved the sly social commentary to be found in Lee’s piece Church with such lines as ‘Truth is, I am allergic to hypocrites’ and
‘If Jesus and His apostles were here,
surely, they would be rolling their eyes,
maybe even tipping over tables,
if you would even allow them and their dirty feet
into your spotless, sterile sanctuaries.’
I finished Vine a firm Melody Lee fan with a keen longing to hear more of her voice, particularly her sharp social observations and pieces such as Insanity Invades Like a Tumor, which starts off sounding like another of her love poems, but quickly turns deliciously dark, bringing to mind the writing of Edgar Allen Poe. Good thing her first book, Moon Gypsy, is already on its way.
Vine: Book of Poetry is available through Amazon and other major retailers
October 20, 2018
I was introduced to Melody Lee on Facebook, and I immediately fell in love with her beautiful style. She melds dark and light into the most magical poetry. In Vines, the chapters are broken down into categories where the words go in sync with the chosen vines.
In the chapter Clematis, the queen of vines, I was drown to the wisdom on page 30. She writes, “Sometimes poetry is dark and brutal, has fangs and teeth.” - And that is the absolute truth.
In Honeysuckle, we see affection and passion. “She’s all stars and porcelain skin, velvety petals, purple linen.” I am obsessed with Melody’s divine use of details.
Jasmine is love and sensuality. It’s madness at 2am, “dripping blood from a poet’s pen.” This. She gets me, as a writer and a woman, by including sensory words packed full of depth.
With Ivy, we turn to enlightenment. I love this section because of the absolute acceptance in it. She knows her worth, her magic, her wildness. Page 75 says it perfectly, “you can chain the dragon, but you’ll never tame the beast.” Angelic Woman, page 77, is possibly my favorite piece in the whole book. It reminds me of my mom, my grandmother, and all these incredible women like Melody who inspire me on a daily basis.
Wisteria, the final section, showcases the ability to rise above. I love the way Melody writes as if she’s talking to you, explaining her life and the lessons she’s learned along the way. In so many pieces, she creates a story out of intricate details. It allows the reader to get to know her, and themselves. If you like poetry packed with meaningful emotion, look no further.
In the chapter Clematis, the queen of vines, I was drown to the wisdom on page 30. She writes, “Sometimes poetry is dark and brutal, has fangs and teeth.” - And that is the absolute truth.
In Honeysuckle, we see affection and passion. “She’s all stars and porcelain skin, velvety petals, purple linen.” I am obsessed with Melody’s divine use of details.
Jasmine is love and sensuality. It’s madness at 2am, “dripping blood from a poet’s pen.” This. She gets me, as a writer and a woman, by including sensory words packed full of depth.
With Ivy, we turn to enlightenment. I love this section because of the absolute acceptance in it. She knows her worth, her magic, her wildness. Page 75 says it perfectly, “you can chain the dragon, but you’ll never tame the beast.” Angelic Woman, page 77, is possibly my favorite piece in the whole book. It reminds me of my mom, my grandmother, and all these incredible women like Melody who inspire me on a daily basis.
Wisteria, the final section, showcases the ability to rise above. I love the way Melody writes as if she’s talking to you, explaining her life and the lessons she’s learned along the way. In so many pieces, she creates a story out of intricate details. It allows the reader to get to know her, and themselves. If you like poetry packed with meaningful emotion, look no further.
June 20, 2018
Melody Lee has done it again!! If you loved "Moon Gypsy" you're going to fall in love all over again. "Vine" is a masterpiece. Bravo. Bravo.
October 23, 2018
"Vine" held me spellbound!
ByGypsy Merceron October 6, 2018
Format: Paperback
I started out as a fan of "Moon Gypsy" and Melody Lee! It came as no surprise that upon opening "Vine", I sat mesmerized reading it all in one sitting! (Yes, coffee was involved).
Melody seamlessly merges nature's bounty with a passion for life, and the love we all crave. She reminds us that Poets see paradox's and contradictions in a kaleidoscope of colors. Melody brilliantly expresses both in "Vines - Book of Poetry". A must have! A must read!
"Vine" held me spellbound!
I started out as a fan of "Moon Gypsy" and Melody Lee! It came as no surprise that upon opening "Vine", I sat mesmerized reading it all in one sitting! (Yes, coffee was involved).
Melody seamlessly merges nature's bounty with a passion for life, and the love we all crave. She reminds us that Poets see paradox's and contradictions in a kaleidoscope of colors. Melody brilliantly expresses both in "Vines - Book of Poetry". A must have! A must read!
ByGypsy Merceron October 6, 2018
Format: Paperback
I started out as a fan of "Moon Gypsy" and Melody Lee! It came as no surprise that upon opening "Vine", I sat mesmerized reading it all in one sitting! (Yes, coffee was involved).
Melody seamlessly merges nature's bounty with a passion for life, and the love we all crave. She reminds us that Poets see paradox's and contradictions in a kaleidoscope of colors. Melody brilliantly expresses both in "Vines - Book of Poetry". A must have! A must read!
"Vine" held me spellbound!
I started out as a fan of "Moon Gypsy" and Melody Lee! It came as no surprise that upon opening "Vine", I sat mesmerized reading it all in one sitting! (Yes, coffee was involved).
Melody seamlessly merges nature's bounty with a passion for life, and the love we all crave. She reminds us that Poets see paradox's and contradictions in a kaleidoscope of colors. Melody brilliantly expresses both in "Vines - Book of Poetry". A must have! A must read!
July 22, 2019
Must read! I ordered a copy "Vine: Book of Poetry" on Amazon Prime, which arrived on my front door on my birthday, along with "Season of The Sorceress."
As the title of her book aptly suggests, the chapters are divided into five sections which are centered around flowers and vines, each of which holds an important (and symbolic) meaning:
1. Clematis, Queen of Vines - "These extraordinary vines are some of the most beautiful flowering plants, known for blooming lavishly on trellises, fences, and porches. They get larger and stronger every year. Be patient, sometimes they take their time growing" (Google via American Meadows Inc.)
2. Honeysuckle - "The honeysuckle signifies happiness. Honeysuckle also symbolizes devoted affection in the form of a lover's embrace" (Google)
3. Jasmine - "Jasmine is associated with love. Also symbolizes beauty and sensuality. In some cultures, jasmine represents appreciation and good luck. When used in religious ceremonies, jasmine represents purity" (Wikipedia)
4. Ivy - "Ivy represents the wandering of the soul in its search for enlightenment and it carries a warning to be sure of the direction of your desires so that you avoid being ensnared. All parts of the ivy plant are poisonous if ingested. Ivy, an evergreen plant, represents eternity, fidelity, and strong affectionate attachment, such as wedded love and friendship. The ivy is also a strong plant which can grow in the hardest environment. Another association of Ivy as an evergreen, is perennial life and immortality" (Google)
5. Wisteria - "Wisteria speaks of love lost, but also of the ability for the heart to endure in spite of rejection. An incredibly durable vine, wisteria is able to live, even flourish, through mistreatment and harsh conditions" (Google)
The poems keenly reflect the nature of each of these flowers. Melody's prose is masterful. Her imagery, fresh voice, and unique perspective on life are what help to shape her poetry into a true work of art. She is definitely a writer to watch for in the years to come.
As the title of her book aptly suggests, the chapters are divided into five sections which are centered around flowers and vines, each of which holds an important (and symbolic) meaning:
1. Clematis, Queen of Vines - "These extraordinary vines are some of the most beautiful flowering plants, known for blooming lavishly on trellises, fences, and porches. They get larger and stronger every year. Be patient, sometimes they take their time growing" (Google via American Meadows Inc.)
2. Honeysuckle - "The honeysuckle signifies happiness. Honeysuckle also symbolizes devoted affection in the form of a lover's embrace" (Google)
3. Jasmine - "Jasmine is associated with love. Also symbolizes beauty and sensuality. In some cultures, jasmine represents appreciation and good luck. When used in religious ceremonies, jasmine represents purity" (Wikipedia)
4. Ivy - "Ivy represents the wandering of the soul in its search for enlightenment and it carries a warning to be sure of the direction of your desires so that you avoid being ensnared. All parts of the ivy plant are poisonous if ingested. Ivy, an evergreen plant, represents eternity, fidelity, and strong affectionate attachment, such as wedded love and friendship. The ivy is also a strong plant which can grow in the hardest environment. Another association of Ivy as an evergreen, is perennial life and immortality" (Google)
5. Wisteria - "Wisteria speaks of love lost, but also of the ability for the heart to endure in spite of rejection. An incredibly durable vine, wisteria is able to live, even flourish, through mistreatment and harsh conditions" (Google)
The poems keenly reflect the nature of each of these flowers. Melody's prose is masterful. Her imagery, fresh voice, and unique perspective on life are what help to shape her poetry into a true work of art. She is definitely a writer to watch for in the years to come.
November 29, 2020
This was the first book of Melody Lee's poetry that I've read although I did buy Season of The Sorceress and Moon Gypsy at the same time. Vine is broken into 5 sections, Clematis, Honeysuckle, Jasmine, Ivy, and Wisteria. Each plant has a unique meaning that the poems in that section are supposed to encapsulate however I found most poems to be fairly uniform throughout in the tone and feel. It was difficult to distinguish between each section. I did have a favorite which was Full Throttle of Love. Many of the others blended together to the point where all I can remember is that they were about love but I couldn't tell you the difference between them. I'm hoping her other books of poetry are more memorable, distinguishable, and holds my attention better.
October 20, 2018
'Vine' is a stunning book of poetry written by such a beautiful hearted, inspiring woman. I have followed Melody's work for a long time and she continues to amaze me.. When I read her poetry, I am transported to a different place, a different time and my heart feels truly touched with each new piece.. This is a beautiful book to hold & treasure and the poems will stay with me.. This is one I will share with my daughters, so that their hearts may also be touched in strong and gentle ways.. Thank you for your gift Melody ♡
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews