Back to the Light: Poems

by George Ella Lyon

Acclaimed poet George Ella Lyon returns with a brilliant new collection that traces the arc of a woman's life from girlhood to mature womanhood. In answer to the first poem, "Little Girl Who Knows Too Much," Lyon embarks on a journey from a child who was silenced to "Some Big Loud Woman" who claims the right to a voice. Along the way she meets allies and guides including Dickinson, Woolf, Mary Travers, Grace Paley, and the giver of dreams. As sailors once navigated by the stars, so Lyon navigates by these luminaries. They are not distant, though. Their light is always near.

Alternately witty, tender, shocking, and visionary, Back to the Light reveals the reunion of body and spirit, truth and story. In the process, it demonstrates the power of poetry to liberate and to heal.

Genres: Poetry

120 pages, Paperback

Published April 6, 2021

About the author

George Ella Lyon is a Kentucky author who has published in many genres, including picture books, poetry, juvenile novels, and articles.

Reviews

[Bandit · Rating 3 out of 5]

For women by woman, this poetry collection chronicles the female experience – all the multifaceted variety of it. From girlhood to motherhood. From victimhood to triumph.
Thematically, these pack some emotional punch, dealing with things like child abuse. Stylistically, these poems were all over the place, from longer, almost streamlined prose ones to the most minimalistic few-words-per-line ones.
I’m not a habitual poetry reader nor am I an expert, more of a dabbler. I read some now and again, and, based on those samples, this was good if maybe not exceptional. The strong emotional undercurrent carried the words through, and occasional beauty of an image or language shined through here and there. Feminist interest, certainly very present in these pages.

[joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book of poems, from former poet laureate of Kentuck, George Ella Lyon, is profoundly illuminating into the essence of women. The ripple effect of former feminist upon others is amazingly demonstrated in this collection of poems.

[Melissa Helton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection that confronts childhood trauma, caretaker's denial and silencing of it, and the life-long echoes that creates. As adults, when we finally confront those childhood traumas, we reclaim what had been taken. I'm glad this book exists. Beautiful poems.

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful collection. I read it once, and then again. Love it.

[Becky Barrier Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully crafted. Emotionally profoundly moving.

[Sarah Snipes · Rating 4 out of 5]

George Ella Lyon's work always feels like home.

[Priscilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some poems are soooo good: "Out with It," "Trapdoor," "Who and How."

[John Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Personal and raw, but at times very affecting.

[Chelsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this collection. It proves you can be gritty and honest and also soft and beautiful with your writing all at once. Ms. Lyon is an excellent poet, and I love that she is a Kentuckian. :)