Mrs. Noah's Journal
Jul 7, 2010
Jack Peachum is a regular contributor to the Dew and requested an opportunity to submit a book review on a book of poetry he feels strongly about. The Dew was happy to let him share his thoughts.
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MRS NOAH'S JOURNAL (2006)
AUTHOR PATSY ANNE BICKERSTAFF
PUBLISHER:SAN FRANCISCO BAY PRESS
GENRE: POETRY
INTRODUCTION BY GEORGE GARRETT
As you will see by the publication date (which seems to vary, according to which wag you're listening to), this book of poetry has been around for several years. And if you're wondering why I'm reviewing it at this late date, it's because I believe Bickerstaff deserves to be better known- I can only promote her to a wider audience.
Not that she hasn't won her share of honors: president of the Poetry Society of Virginia, she's listed in Writers In Virginia, the Who's Who volumes, and Mrs. Noah's Journal was nominated for the Library of Virginia Award. In fact, it was something of a coup for her when the late poet George Garrett agreed to write the intro.
The book itself is wonderful! A series of dramatic monologues woven around the story of the ark and told by Mrs. Noah- a woman's-eye view of everything from day to day tasks (Planning the Voyage):
Are all the stalls secure? We have a chore
with feeding, cleaning, grooming, mucking out-
to the inevitable strains that such a voyage must put on the ties that bind (Lonely):
He has forgotten many weeks to say I love you
... The man who called me little sweetheart...
..............................
In mildewed hay and rancid mushroom smells;
things clattering, chattering, bawling, squawling,
baying, braying, screaming, sobbing. I ache all day-
However, the book is far from grim. The polecat (The Conqueror) for instance:
Is this the creature that elephants and lions fear...?
And there is the dove (Courier), that symbol of hope:
Will she be back? If so, what shall we know?
..........She returns with a farewell gift,
A leaf.
... Somewhere a tree.
She never sinks into bathos, mere sentiment. In fact, these poems manage a variety of styles and moods, all of them wonderfully told, never boring or beyond the grasp or interest of the reader. Accessible is the word here. As Garrett puts it,"worthy of our best attention and honor".
Poets, in particular, have a difficult time of it, finding a readership. Honors are fine, in their place- but what a writer really wants is an audience who appreciates his talents. Southerners should, at least, support their own artists, their own poets and writers. I recommend you buy this book, read it, pass it on to someone
And what a gift Mrs. Noah's Journal is!
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Reviewed by Jack Peachum
