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Evolution in Sand
During the process of writing fourteen novels in various genres, the author pieced together quite a few poems and small works of prose, mostly hidden away in the computer files of anonymity. Some have been used by characters in novels, (Rebecca wrote poetry in ‘Waiting For Kitto’) some poems were expanded into the traits of characters in novels or into their experiences.
It seems to me that should a novel stall, returning to poetry frees the mind to progress.
This anthology of poems and small prose pieces spans the years and may be of interest to my readers and hopefully to lovers of the poetic form both male and female.
It seems to me that should a novel stall, returning to poetry frees the mind to progress.
This anthology of poems and small prose pieces spans the years and may be of interest to my readers and hopefully to lovers of the poetic form both male and female.
58 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 26, 2021
4 people want to read
About the author
Stephenson Holt
57 books42 followersStephenson Holt is an author that physically writes between 5am and 8am each morning, leaving that painting to sketch and dream for the rest of the day. Sometimes he returns into normality but not for long periods. For most of his life he is constructing one novel while sketching the next novel – it keeps the mind fresh.
His favourite sketch and dream places are;-
I. Lying on a beach listening to the waves.
II. A favourite armchair in the conservatory with heavy rain on the roof.
III. Laying in a hot bath staring at a tiled wall.
IV. Sitting next to a canal where he used to fish as a boy.
V. Motorway driving.
VI. That chair in the corner of the greenhouse, shielded from the sun by that grapevine and next to the olive tree, full of bird feeders.
VII. Gardening with a corner of his eye on the sparrow returning to the nest in the eaves above him and imagining he’s the sparrow looking down on himself.
VIII. Running a familiar route where he doesn’t have to concentrate on where he’s going.
When stuck for inspiration he will;-
I. Listen to an episode of “The Invisible College” a series of ten minute podcasts from BBC Radio 4 that sit nicely on an iPod.
II. Listen to a three album collection converted to CD of Jack Kerouac reciting and backed by either piano or saxophone. Including “Poetry for the beat generation” and “American Haikus.”
III. Fight like a superhero with a six year old grandson.
IV. Walk in the hills.
His favourite sketch and dream places are;-
I. Lying on a beach listening to the waves.
II. A favourite armchair in the conservatory with heavy rain on the roof.
III. Laying in a hot bath staring at a tiled wall.
IV. Sitting next to a canal where he used to fish as a boy.
V. Motorway driving.
VI. That chair in the corner of the greenhouse, shielded from the sun by that grapevine and next to the olive tree, full of bird feeders.
VII. Gardening with a corner of his eye on the sparrow returning to the nest in the eaves above him and imagining he’s the sparrow looking down on himself.
VIII. Running a familiar route where he doesn’t have to concentrate on where he’s going.
When stuck for inspiration he will;-
I. Listen to an episode of “The Invisible College” a series of ten minute podcasts from BBC Radio 4 that sit nicely on an iPod.
II. Listen to a three album collection converted to CD of Jack Kerouac reciting and backed by either piano or saxophone. Including “Poetry for the beat generation” and “American Haikus.”
III. Fight like a superhero with a six year old grandson.
IV. Walk in the hills.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 5, 2024
My goodness... this was a fantastic read!
'Evolution In Sand- Poems And Prose For Travelling Minds,' written by Stephenson Holt is a riveting collection of poems that jolted my imagination. The writer injects detail into his thought-provoking words that ultimately create a scene within the reader's mind that ensures they are vested in reading poem after poem.
Each poem is unique, and I found them all thoroughly entertaining although the ones that really stayed with me are 'Marshfield,' 'Three Generations of Me,' and 'Evolution In Sand (Reprise).'
So beautifully written, and sprinkled with a certain, intangible wisdom that is hard to come by in many poetry books, it is prudent to note that it is no loss for you to take a chance on reading this delightful poetry book.
A treasure!
5/5
'Evolution In Sand- Poems And Prose For Travelling Minds,' written by Stephenson Holt is a riveting collection of poems that jolted my imagination. The writer injects detail into his thought-provoking words that ultimately create a scene within the reader's mind that ensures they are vested in reading poem after poem.
Each poem is unique, and I found them all thoroughly entertaining although the ones that really stayed with me are 'Marshfield,' 'Three Generations of Me,' and 'Evolution In Sand (Reprise).'
So beautifully written, and sprinkled with a certain, intangible wisdom that is hard to come by in many poetry books, it is prudent to note that it is no loss for you to take a chance on reading this delightful poetry book.
A treasure!
5/5
December 18, 2021
Nice collection of poems
Stephenson Holt brings together a variety of poetry and styles in "Evolution in Sand."
If you want a poem that rhymes, Holt has you covered -- "Coastal Path."
Philosophical poem - "The Infinite Classroom"
Ones that read like journal entry - "Nine Is My Number"
These are just a few examples of what you'll find in the book.
After most of the poems, there's info regarding experiences that prompted its creation, timeframes, or factoids. I enjoyed those parts.
Check out this book!
Stephenson Holt brings together a variety of poetry and styles in "Evolution in Sand."
If you want a poem that rhymes, Holt has you covered -- "Coastal Path."
Philosophical poem - "The Infinite Classroom"
Ones that read like journal entry - "Nine Is My Number"
These are just a few examples of what you'll find in the book.
After most of the poems, there's info regarding experiences that prompted its creation, timeframes, or factoids. I enjoyed those parts.
Check out this book!
August 28, 2021
I was fortunate recently to beta-read this collection of pieces, both poems and prose, put together by Stephenson Holt over a period of time and evoking events of his lifetime which made an impression.
I could not fail to have my own memories triggered too, by some of those which had an impact on the wider world, such as ‘The River Ran Black’. A child myself in England, when the school in the Welsh valley town of Aberfan was engulfed by a huge pile of mining waste which plummeted down the mountain and killed 116 young children and 28 adults on 21 October 1966, I remember my own school calling a special assembly in the afternoon to tell us of the tragedy. The author of this poem, being Welsh himself, has even greater memories of that terrible event.
There are lighter pieces here, however, such as the author’s memories of running the Athens Marathon in response to a challenge in ‘Nine is No Number’. At least the spectators cheered him then, unlike those in ‘Bergerac Old Town’ who clearly see the British couple as ‘idiot tourists’.
Finally, how could I not like ‘Winding up Laura’, added to the collection recently by Stephenson, who has recently become a firm friend and fellow author? My hair is still firmly attached to my head and my throat is not hoarse from screaming, as the author suggests in the footnote to the poem, but I had a good laugh at his attempts to provoke me. My recommendation of his book for perusal by any readers of this should convince him that my sense of humour is still intact.
I could not fail to have my own memories triggered too, by some of those which had an impact on the wider world, such as ‘The River Ran Black’. A child myself in England, when the school in the Welsh valley town of Aberfan was engulfed by a huge pile of mining waste which plummeted down the mountain and killed 116 young children and 28 adults on 21 October 1966, I remember my own school calling a special assembly in the afternoon to tell us of the tragedy. The author of this poem, being Welsh himself, has even greater memories of that terrible event.
There are lighter pieces here, however, such as the author’s memories of running the Athens Marathon in response to a challenge in ‘Nine is No Number’. At least the spectators cheered him then, unlike those in ‘Bergerac Old Town’ who clearly see the British couple as ‘idiot tourists’.
Finally, how could I not like ‘Winding up Laura’, added to the collection recently by Stephenson, who has recently become a firm friend and fellow author? My hair is still firmly attached to my head and my throat is not hoarse from screaming, as the author suggests in the footnote to the poem, but I had a good laugh at his attempts to provoke me. My recommendation of his book for perusal by any readers of this should convince him that my sense of humour is still intact.
October 8, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this book of poetry which reflects different styles and approaches. The author was wise to enlighten the reader of how the book came into being. He explained that in between writing those books that he has written he would record his thoughts in poetry and keep his notes. As a result, this book is a selection of those thoughts.
I particularly appreciated Mr Holt sharing the background of most of his poems with us and to me this had two effects. First,this made it easier to understand the poetry and second it encouraged a second read in some cases to better grasp the idea/thought being presented.
While we are told that the author is a writer in several genres, I would encourage him to continue to put his thoughts aside in this manner and to continue to produce books of poetry to enlighten his readers of his experiences.
Do read this and feed your soul!
I particularly appreciated Mr Holt sharing the background of most of his poems with us and to me this had two effects. First,this made it easier to understand the poetry and second it encouraged a second read in some cases to better grasp the idea/thought being presented.
While we are told that the author is a writer in several genres, I would encourage him to continue to put his thoughts aside in this manner and to continue to produce books of poetry to enlighten his readers of his experiences.
Do read this and feed your soul!
March 26, 2023
This assemblage of 32 poems and short stories is a great way to spend a quiet afternoon. What I especially liked is, in most cases, the author includes an explanation of the event or incident that inspired a particular piece. Several of my favorites are: Nine is No Number (a story of personal triumph); He Said, She Said (complacency in a long-term relationship); Horny Tawny (so descriptive, you feel as though you’re right there listening to the owls); and Separated by a Common Language (clever and amusing). Truly a wonderful collection!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews