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STORM
Deb Grant’s collection of poetry is a genuine first-hand experience of someone who is not only a disaster survivor but someone who stands in the gap between devastation and survival for those impacted. Her realistic and sometimes raw interpretation of the disaster experience has the ability to bring you to the “place” where survivors are, through words that can engage your senses and create sights, sounds, and even the smells of what that experience brings. This collection will be a lesson for those wanting to help, a kindred space for those who do the work, and a resource for those still healing to know they are not alone. —Jessica Vermilyea, Executive Director, Disaster Response, Lutheran Social Services/Upbring.org ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ “This is not your grandmother's pastor's poetry. STORM is as bold as the title implies, offering perspectives and styles of poetry as varied as are the disasters that visit every person. Gritty and tender, this intensely visual volume is for those courageous souls who walk alongside others through the disorienting landscapes and heartscapes that accompany every storm.” —The Rev. Stacy Stringer, Director of Hurricane Recovery, Episcopal Diocese of Texas ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ “Amazingly true and real. Pastor Deb Grant has captured every situation and emotion that exists surrounding a hurricane disaster. From the definition of muck to sharing an altar in a sister church. From looters to becoming a weather geek to naming the deceased. Pastor Grant has experienced everything she has written and presented it in her unique style of writing.” —Mike Anderson, National Weather Service, 29 Year Veteran of Flood Forecasting, Survivor of Hurricane Camille
166 pages, Paperback
Published November 22, 2019
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
March 4, 2020
Reviewed by Susan Violante for Reader Views (02/2020)
During the ten years I lived in South Florida, I went through many hurricanes. Some just brushed off but others seemed to aim at us. It is no surprise I gravitated to “Storm” by Deb Grant! I was moved, and happy to finally find words to feelings, and experiences I lived through once too many, whether by finding myself in middle of the storm or helping loved ones through the aftermath of a storm.
“Storm” is a collection of poems that reflects the human experience organized in a book format. The poems are grouped in sections mirroring the different phases storm-affected communities go through: ‘Provision, Demolition, Resilience, and Exhortation.’ This formatting makes the author’s message flow easily even when jumping from one section to the other. Some poems rhyme, others don’t. Most are long, which makes it hard for me to sample here in their full length. However, I will sample an excerpt below just to give an idea of the author’s bold, direct, and sensorial voice which makes the reader experience the storm, feel the aftermath, and listen to the call for help.
Deb Grant does a great job creating a journey through the ‘storm’ for readers to experience. The anticipation, the fear, the devastation and the strength to rebuild is felt throughout thanks to her choice of words, but also on how she decides to put them together on each piece of poetry. I am a fan of short poetry; however Grant’s longer style works great to depict the odyssey, and dread of going through devastating storms and has made me a fan too. Some of my favorites are ‘A Bird In Hand,’ ‘Impassable,’ ‘Port In A Storm,’ and ‘This Maria.’ Below is a sample excerpt:
‘Taking In
When the rain stops
the taking in begins
throwing open
the body’s windows,
taking in the breath
after holding it for days.
Our senses label and file
and memorized.
A hood of someone’s car
leans against the toppled tree in the backyard.
Grind of generators and chainsaws.
Grills frying meat rescued
from powerless freezers
Humid air that feels like a mugger’s
sweat gloved hand
keeping the mouth shut for fear of not
knowing how to cry for help.
A pulled pork sandwich
and foam-container dish of beans,
a bag of sour cream and onion chips delivered
by human hands
through a food truck window.
Taking in
the fresh truth
of our humanity
intact.
All senses working.
We survived.
We are alive.’
“Storm” by Deb Grant took me back to the memory of many hurricanes, some scarier than others, my last one being Wilma. ‘Taking in,’ took me there. “Storm” by Deb Grant is a must-read for everyone, because you never know when disaster will strike.
During the ten years I lived in South Florida, I went through many hurricanes. Some just brushed off but others seemed to aim at us. It is no surprise I gravitated to “Storm” by Deb Grant! I was moved, and happy to finally find words to feelings, and experiences I lived through once too many, whether by finding myself in middle of the storm or helping loved ones through the aftermath of a storm.
“Storm” is a collection of poems that reflects the human experience organized in a book format. The poems are grouped in sections mirroring the different phases storm-affected communities go through: ‘Provision, Demolition, Resilience, and Exhortation.’ This formatting makes the author’s message flow easily even when jumping from one section to the other. Some poems rhyme, others don’t. Most are long, which makes it hard for me to sample here in their full length. However, I will sample an excerpt below just to give an idea of the author’s bold, direct, and sensorial voice which makes the reader experience the storm, feel the aftermath, and listen to the call for help.
Deb Grant does a great job creating a journey through the ‘storm’ for readers to experience. The anticipation, the fear, the devastation and the strength to rebuild is felt throughout thanks to her choice of words, but also on how she decides to put them together on each piece of poetry. I am a fan of short poetry; however Grant’s longer style works great to depict the odyssey, and dread of going through devastating storms and has made me a fan too. Some of my favorites are ‘A Bird In Hand,’ ‘Impassable,’ ‘Port In A Storm,’ and ‘This Maria.’ Below is a sample excerpt:
‘Taking In
When the rain stops
the taking in begins
throwing open
the body’s windows,
taking in the breath
after holding it for days.
Our senses label and file
and memorized.
A hood of someone’s car
leans against the toppled tree in the backyard.
Grind of generators and chainsaws.
Grills frying meat rescued
from powerless freezers
Humid air that feels like a mugger’s
sweat gloved hand
keeping the mouth shut for fear of not
knowing how to cry for help.
A pulled pork sandwich
and foam-container dish of beans,
a bag of sour cream and onion chips delivered
by human hands
through a food truck window.
Taking in
the fresh truth
of our humanity
intact.
All senses working.
We survived.
We are alive.’
“Storm” by Deb Grant took me back to the memory of many hurricanes, some scarier than others, my last one being Wilma. ‘Taking in,’ took me there. “Storm” by Deb Grant is a must-read for everyone, because you never know when disaster will strike.
Displaying 1 of 1 review