Safe as Lightning: Poems

by Scudder H. Parker

Scudder H. Parker’s poetry debut is a compilation of early experience, midlife discovery, and later-life thankfulness. "Safe as Lightning" is pervaded by sadness about the current direction of our human experiment, and hope for what it might be for us to become respectful citizens living in a thriving and diverse world. A lifetime of observation, experience, and discovery of the amazing richness of the inner, human, and natural worlds; a total delight in the freedom and disciplines of language; a search for justice; and the practice of humility, have all inspired the poems contained within.

“Here is a voice accessible, yet elegant. There is no pretense, no agenda. Fully aware of past and future, of dangers, regrets and loss, these poems baptize the now, the exquisite temporary, with time and attention, and cause the reader to cherish their own life in fresh ways. In this decade of violence and division, these poems believe in life, in people doing what they can to care for the earth and each other. Listening to Scudder Parker’s voice, full of tenderness, humor and humility, ‘There is nothing/ I am qualified to rescue.’ I felt rescued. Reading Safe as Lightning I felt hopeful, encouraged, and, for a time, safe.”

—Diane Swan, author of "The Other Wish"

Genres: Poetry

115 pages, Paperback

Published May 19, 2020

Reviews

[Samantha Kolber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a wonderful collection of poems that are hopeful, sad, pensive, gracious, and grateful--a world of emotions expressed in this world of nature and poetry! There are such lovely lines and turns of phrases throughout, too, such as "a bowl of wildness" (p. 95); "remember you are here by gift" (121); and:

"We found and ate wild onions, green flags,
red bulbs flecked with loam,
so spring would infect our breath" (p. 41).

The poems are accessible, and many feel like little stories of a life and place in rural Vermont. A complete book that will transport and transform you. Full disclosure: I am the editor of this book, however, I would not inflate my review as such. I truly enjoy the work here, and think you will too.

[Shelagh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in conjunction with an interview with the poet for my literary podcast. Usually I don't rate the books I read for the show, simply because they're all vetted before being included, and I hope the show itself acts as an endorsement. That said, these poems came along for me at a rather dark time, and I really appreciated their brightness. Not to say they paint some sort of pollyanna picture. But they are lovely and real, full of word play and story, rhythmic engagement and allusions to the natural world. I will return to them.

[Susan Ritz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scudder Parker has written a book full of both wisdom and beauty. Each poem shines with natural images entwined with meditations on gardening, birds, friendship, family and love in all its forms.
Parker has a light touch, but reaches deep. This is a book I keep by bed to help me remember that life is full of beauty and mystery fen in these uncertain times.

[Sarah Hofmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was enthralled. Each poem gripped me. I had to slow down and savor instead of gulping them down.

[Kea4 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Safe as Lightning: Poems by Scudder H Parker

I'm not really into poetry but gave this a try. Some of them popped more for me than others but that's poetry for you. Scudder H Parker's poems cover a variety of issues, wildlife, and life in general.
By the way, the book cover is just gorgeous.

https://theworldisabookandiamitsreade...

[Bridgette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, moving collection of poems that leave you "thinking" and wanting more poems. While reading, I would envision the beautiful Vermont landscape. There are about 75 poems in this collection. I do not actively seek reading poetry but I enjoyed this collection very, very much. A very easy read!

[Lorri · Rating 5 out of 5]

My goodness! The poetry is absolutely inspiring on so many levels. Heartbreaking, heartfelt, hopeful, and grateful are just four words that envelope the prose within the poems.

Scudder H. Parker's Safe as Lightning: Poems, is a humble, must-read, and one that illuminates the very core of those who read it.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book feels like having a series of interesting and intimate conversations with Scudder. The poems are accessible, but also laid out with such grace and an obvious love of language and imagery. Also, I live where many of them take place, so that was a joy for me.