Arcadians : Lullaby in Nature

by Katrina Thornley, Lyndsay Picillo (Illustrator)

This is the culmination of quiet walks at night through trees and upon echoing boardwalks as the full moon lit the way. It was created from the smells of rain cleansed earth and the voices of passerby commenting on the flowers blooming and inspired by the sun sparkling on pond’s surface and the essence of a small town’s nature flooding my veins. Full of detail and imagery, see a small town through the eyes of a poet.

104 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 16, 2020

Reviews

[Becca Shappy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible read, not to be overlooked. Emotional, metaphorical, and well written, this anthology bought my soul back from the dead by taking me on a journey through sunlit woods and dirt backroads in the rural parts of Southern Rhode Island.

[Peter Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Arcadians" is a touching and heartfelt book of poetry that is dedicated to the author's home town. You can really get a sense of passion from the poet, as if there are strong ties to the land that she shares with her ancestors. The majority of the poems touches on nature, such as deep forests and peaceful landscapes. My favourite poems often center around being still in the environment, and focusing on the subtle beauty that revolves around nature.

This book is best read outdoors. I would also recommend purchasing a physical copy of "Arcadians" since reading the e-book on my phone felt like a strange juxtaposition when contemplating the idea of self-isolation to really enjoy the stillness of nature. The front cover design is absolutely lovely! I suppose that is another incentive to purchase a physical copy of "Arcadians."

My only gripe is the poems did feel a bit repetitive at times. I believe less content could have held a stronger impact upon the reader's mind, such as selecting the strongest poems that will resonate with the intended audience. I think experimenting with different poetry styles or implementing rhyming schemes might have brought more variety to the author's poems as well. This is my own opinion, however, and not reflective of other people's experiences. I have some background knowledge in poetry, since I took some courses in University that focused on it, so I will view "Arcadians" differently than everyone else. All in all, it was an enjoyable read. If you are a fan of simplistic poetry that focuses on nature, it will be an ideal read for you. I will leave two of my favourite poems down below.

My memory lane
Is a wooded path
Bathed in grass
And sunlight
With your shadow
Beside mine.
- Hiking

He was the tide
And I was the child
Barefoot and chasing,
Always hoping
For a gentle caress
But always missing
Complete embrace.
- Ocean's Love