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The Honey in the Bones: Poems to Rewild the Soul
The book is a spell. A rewilding of the soul. A realignment with the sacred cycles of nature and our bodies, and an invocation to restore kinship, reciprocity and harmony in barbarous, disconnected times.
From one winter solstice to the next, we dance from darkness to light and back again, encompassing sweetness and bitterness, times of rest and celebration, grief and healing, and cohering in the beauty, magic and wisdom of embracing the whole. The Honey in the Bones reminds us that the sweetness and nourishment we seek in life are always available within.
This is poetry as witchcraft, activism, healing, prayer and play. It is gentle, potent medicine for anyone who holds a vision for a kinder world. Above all, it is a love letter to an Earth on the cusp, and a mother's dream of hope for the future.
From one winter solstice to the next, we dance from darkness to light and back again, encompassing sweetness and bitterness, times of rest and celebration, grief and healing, and cohering in the beauty, magic and wisdom of embracing the whole. The Honey in the Bones reminds us that the sweetness and nourishment we seek in life are always available within.
This is poetry as witchcraft, activism, healing, prayer and play. It is gentle, potent medicine for anyone who holds a vision for a kinder world. Above all, it is a love letter to an Earth on the cusp, and a mother's dream of hope for the future.
- GenresPoetry
110 pages, Paperback
Published December 20, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 28, 2025
A lovely, gentle poetry collection focusing mostly on nature through the seasons.
As I am currently working on my own seasonal poetry collection, and as these poems were written mainly in East Sussex which is where I (partly) grew up, there was much that felt familiar and comfy in Caroline's writings. There is a thread of paganism and respect for the Earth running through her work, which ties in strongly with my own beliefs.
"Imbolc", which reads as a ritual, spell or incantation was a particular stand-out for me, and one I think I will come back to next year at the appropriate time. I also really enjoyed the essay at the end of the book which was about how Caroline lives and what she teaches her children, her wishes for the world and for her family. Her writing here too is poetic and clear.
I did find the words and poems blended together a bit - was perhaps slightly too uniform.
Caroline Mellor is another Substack find, and if you're on the platform I would highly recommend following her. Beautiful and thoughtful words.
As I am currently working on my own seasonal poetry collection, and as these poems were written mainly in East Sussex which is where I (partly) grew up, there was much that felt familiar and comfy in Caroline's writings. There is a thread of paganism and respect for the Earth running through her work, which ties in strongly with my own beliefs.
"Imbolc", which reads as a ritual, spell or incantation was a particular stand-out for me, and one I think I will come back to next year at the appropriate time. I also really enjoyed the essay at the end of the book which was about how Caroline lives and what she teaches her children, her wishes for the world and for her family. Her writing here too is poetic and clear.
I did find the words and poems blended together a bit - was perhaps slightly too uniform.
Caroline Mellor is another Substack find, and if you're on the platform I would highly recommend following her. Beautiful and thoughtful words.
May 10, 2023
Food for the Soul, honest and beautiful words of wisdom for this modern day world. If you like Mary Oliver you will love this precious book of words from poet Caroline Mellor.
April 21, 2023
I have known Caroline's work and love for words from the Medium platform. Her words are so pure and full of spark, hope, and love. In her debut poetry book, she talks about emotions, hope, love, relationships, and hope for her children, family, and the entire universe. She is a keen observer who doesn't hesitate to pen down her emotions when it comes to poetry and prose.
Her book made me smile and gave me hope for a better future and a spark of undying love and caring vibes.
Some of my favorite poems from her book are:
1. Without You
Because I was born from your waters and the first music I ever heard was your heartbeat. Because the essence of you flows through my cells like a river and the memory of your face is etched into my soul the way my heart knows the inside of my chest. Because you were my world, once--my earth, my first beloved home--there can be no me without you and yet now, between us, this great forest.
2. Imbolc
I am the dream of awakening.
I am the returning to the light.
I am the tough green shoot pushing up through the pave stones, I am the first kiss of sunlight on the unfurling petals of the snowdrop.
3. Before He Wakes
In the hour before he wakes,
Before the traffic on the road becomes a river and the starlight falls away into the rush, in a different sky.
4. Gold Dust
For my children
If I could collect all the times you've fallen asleep in my arms--not just the times, but the infinitesimal puffs of sparking dust which evaporate into the ether at the exact moment you slip from the waking world into the real of dream--I would have enough gold dust to colour the heavens, enough stars to fill the sky of my love for you.
Please read her book and find comfort within yourself along with her beautiful words.
Her book made me smile and gave me hope for a better future and a spark of undying love and caring vibes.
Some of my favorite poems from her book are:
1. Without You
Because I was born from your waters and the first music I ever heard was your heartbeat. Because the essence of you flows through my cells like a river and the memory of your face is etched into my soul the way my heart knows the inside of my chest. Because you were my world, once--my earth, my first beloved home--there can be no me without you and yet now, between us, this great forest.
2. Imbolc
I am the dream of awakening.
I am the returning to the light.
I am the tough green shoot pushing up through the pave stones, I am the first kiss of sunlight on the unfurling petals of the snowdrop.
3. Before He Wakes
In the hour before he wakes,
Before the traffic on the road becomes a river and the starlight falls away into the rush, in a different sky.
4. Gold Dust
For my children
If I could collect all the times you've fallen asleep in my arms--not just the times, but the infinitesimal puffs of sparking dust which evaporate into the ether at the exact moment you slip from the waking world into the real of dream--I would have enough gold dust to colour the heavens, enough stars to fill the sky of my love for you.
Please read her book and find comfort within yourself along with her beautiful words.
March 31, 2023
This collection was a joy from start to finish. Often when I read an entire poetry collection there are a number of poems that I don't connect with. The Honey in the Bones, on the other hand, was a book to savour and there was not a single poem in there that I didn't love and will certainly re-visit a number of times. I found myself taking photos of so many of them and sending them to friends and I know I shall be gifting this beautiful, soulful, urgent and necessary collection to many. It is a call to step outside and immerse ourselves in the land, to re-root ourselves in the natural world and to pay deep attention to what we have right on our doorstep and what we stand to lose, without ever losing that most essential element of hope.
I look forward to more from this talented poet.
I look forward to more from this talented poet.
March 22, 2026
There should be a word for when words ring within.
I found many such phrases in this book of poems!
This collection is so good I did a reread...and will likely again. And again!
I found many such phrases in this book of poems!
This collection is so good I did a reread...and will likely again. And again!
March 26, 2023
I read this book in paperback. This is an unsolicited review.
I looked at this book solely on the cover and title alone. When I read the description describing poetry and nature, I was sold. I have not read this author prior, so I didn't have a lot of expectations, other than the fact I love poetry about nature. I was, somewhat disappointed. The poetry, for me, simply didn't connect well.
What I liked: The book is split into four sections, much as I had done with one of my own book. Same concept, different order: Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn. In Winter, I appreciated "New Year's Day" with lines like 'The night I woke you to tell you she was on her way,... I remember the birth in black and red. I remember holding on to your legs as though if I let go, I might not ever find my way back.... She was so calm. Eyes bright and open...' and "Imbolc" with 'I am the returning of light... I am the first kiss of sunlight... I am the wind that whispers... I am the drop of ice melting.... I am the sap rising... I am hope...' The words sink into your soul. And the poem "Dawn" with '...the beautiful future which you dreamed of so long... finally burst over the horizon...'
In Spring we have "March" with 'Winter is tired. She longs to lie down in the arms of spring...' Summer was, surprisingly, my favorite section with "Moment in the Sun", "The Butterfly Bush", and "The Old Land": '...you can still find pockets of the old land: fragments of woods in a sea of agriculture, old flint quarries, gills and gullies, dingley dells tucked behind industrial estates... These are places where [I go] when I need to pray, to be with the trees. To heal the grey, cracked places inside...'
I had thought I would love the Autumn section, however the only pieces in the final section which I really liked were "Still" ('...lost in a dream of falling leaves.') and "We Need to Teach the Children the Old Words" which follows several pages of the old words like brabble, grubble, and twitter-light. Earthy words which are becoming buried by tech words. I heartily agree with her. By far the best piece of the entire book was the final piece, the Epilogue which is not a poem at all, but a short essay on life living on her property, seeing the big business and government scraping out nearby land to become buildings and pavement or big agriculture, rather than the wild home of badgers and hedgehogs. Ms. Mellor instead creates her own little paradise on adjacent piece of land where she can sit and absorb nature, wild and (for now) free. It's a beautiful, though melancholy scene she paints and the heartache comes with a warning: we must not forget the natural for the future.
This book gets a solid 4/5 stars for me. Her writing is fine, but I still felt most of the pieces lacked that special something which really stays inside you. The poetry, for me, was mostly forgettable, with that special exception of the non-poetry piece at the end, which I have brought back to mind time and again, over a week (and several other books read) since finishing. I liked the simple cover and the title is wonderful. It really is what sold me on the book, ultimately. "The Honey in the Bones". Wow, such a great title! It is a poem in itself. The length of the book was great.
I recommend this book to those who do appreciate poetry about nature and parenthood and also to those who may consider themselves a "witch" or who worship nature. There is indeed spell-craft in the book which I easily identified, but don't hold on to. However for those who like that sort of thing, I would recommend the book.
I looked at this book solely on the cover and title alone. When I read the description describing poetry and nature, I was sold. I have not read this author prior, so I didn't have a lot of expectations, other than the fact I love poetry about nature. I was, somewhat disappointed. The poetry, for me, simply didn't connect well.
What I liked: The book is split into four sections, much as I had done with one of my own book. Same concept, different order: Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn. In Winter, I appreciated "New Year's Day" with lines like 'The night I woke you to tell you she was on her way,... I remember the birth in black and red. I remember holding on to your legs as though if I let go, I might not ever find my way back.... She was so calm. Eyes bright and open...' and "Imbolc" with 'I am the returning of light... I am the first kiss of sunlight... I am the wind that whispers... I am the drop of ice melting.... I am the sap rising... I am hope...' The words sink into your soul. And the poem "Dawn" with '...the beautiful future which you dreamed of so long... finally burst over the horizon...'
In Spring we have "March" with 'Winter is tired. She longs to lie down in the arms of spring...' Summer was, surprisingly, my favorite section with "Moment in the Sun", "The Butterfly Bush", and "The Old Land": '...you can still find pockets of the old land: fragments of woods in a sea of agriculture, old flint quarries, gills and gullies, dingley dells tucked behind industrial estates... These are places where [I go] when I need to pray, to be with the trees. To heal the grey, cracked places inside...'
I had thought I would love the Autumn section, however the only pieces in the final section which I really liked were "Still" ('...lost in a dream of falling leaves.') and "We Need to Teach the Children the Old Words" which follows several pages of the old words like brabble, grubble, and twitter-light. Earthy words which are becoming buried by tech words. I heartily agree with her. By far the best piece of the entire book was the final piece, the Epilogue which is not a poem at all, but a short essay on life living on her property, seeing the big business and government scraping out nearby land to become buildings and pavement or big agriculture, rather than the wild home of badgers and hedgehogs. Ms. Mellor instead creates her own little paradise on adjacent piece of land where she can sit and absorb nature, wild and (for now) free. It's a beautiful, though melancholy scene she paints and the heartache comes with a warning: we must not forget the natural for the future.
This book gets a solid 4/5 stars for me. Her writing is fine, but I still felt most of the pieces lacked that special something which really stays inside you. The poetry, for me, was mostly forgettable, with that special exception of the non-poetry piece at the end, which I have brought back to mind time and again, over a week (and several other books read) since finishing. I liked the simple cover and the title is wonderful. It really is what sold me on the book, ultimately. "The Honey in the Bones". Wow, such a great title! It is a poem in itself. The length of the book was great.
I recommend this book to those who do appreciate poetry about nature and parenthood and also to those who may consider themselves a "witch" or who worship nature. There is indeed spell-craft in the book which I easily identified, but don't hold on to. However for those who like that sort of thing, I would recommend the book.
June 25, 2023
Caroline Mellor's The Honey in the Bones is fantastic, exquisite. Her poems hum and sing and whisper in your ear and heart. Mellor partitions her poems in this collection into seasons of the year as well as earthly directions and elements. Rightly so.
Her poetic sense makes much of the earth's seasons and weather and draws the reader along "soft and slow/as each breath/follows the last,'' through the earth's daily and seasonal tides and cycles. She invites the reader into a comfortable space where you can “tend the ember glow/of your soul’s hearth.” The poem, “Changing Sky, December 31, 2020,” recalls to mind that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Crocuses, birdsong, weather, light, birth—these are all related in Mellor’s vision.
Mellor makes various allusions to gardening regarding many things, including life. “Let my life/be an overgrown/garden:/gloriously messy/and lightly tended/with love.” Yes, mine, too.
Her poetic sense makes much of the earth's seasons and weather and draws the reader along "soft and slow/as each breath/follows the last,'' through the earth's daily and seasonal tides and cycles. She invites the reader into a comfortable space where you can “tend the ember glow/of your soul’s hearth.” The poem, “Changing Sky, December 31, 2020,” recalls to mind that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Crocuses, birdsong, weather, light, birth—these are all related in Mellor’s vision.
Mellor makes various allusions to gardening regarding many things, including life. “Let my life/be an overgrown/garden:/gloriously messy/and lightly tended/with love.” Yes, mine, too.
April 5, 2023
I absolutely love this book. Caroline Mellor has such a bewitching way with words. I found her work to both soothing, a remembering of life, nature, whispers of permanence and also of loss and impermanence - a call to action to protect our beautiful earth. I love this author and can't wait to read more.
January 15, 2023
Heart-achingly beautiful writing, power and profound messages for these times. Channeled from a place of love - highly recommend everone read this.
July 17, 2023
Fantastic. Highly underrated poet. Deserves much more attention than is being received.
May 13, 2025
I keep retuning to this book whenever I need a cozy seasonal vibe. If you enjoy poetry as much as I do, this is a must-read.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews