Our Lives in Verse, Everyday Poetry
Book Reviews
(If you have read or listened to my book and found it meaningful, please consider leaving a review on Amazon. Thank you for this kindness.)
Kirkus Review:
"The author pays scrupulous attention to detail in the natural world around her... The poems are lovingly crafted and accessible to poetry readers of all levels... A cheerful book of poems celebrating the cycles of life."
Amazing Amazon Reviews, for which I'm deeply thankful:
Melanie McCoy
5.0 out of 5 stars Light-hearted and Witty!
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2023
What a terrific collection of poetry! The author has captured everyday events in sometimes humorous, sometimes pensive, always positive and uplifting. I highly recommend this refreshing work of art!
queen bee
5.0 out of 5 stars Contemplative prose
Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2023
I read the book and listened to the audible version. With a soothing, relaxed voice, Ann reads her own poetry with warmth and genuineness, which comes from her very depth of who she is. Each season she writes about paints a picture in my mind, of beautiful flowers, holiday activities, seasonal food, love of God, and family traditions. I could only feel good and positive as the words played out, bringing back nostalgic memories of my own Midwest childhood. Ann truly is a Pollyanna in a crazy world. Recommend for everyone.
Mike Rose
5.0 out of 5 stars There's a lot here!
Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2024
Humor, emotional prose, and a great use the line break. Whether this is your first poetry read or your 100th, there definitely is something here for you. I'll be thinking about a few of these for the days to come, and any poem that leaves a lasting impression is a great one in my opinion. Def recommend!
Dina
5.0 out of 5 stars Unbidden smiles were abundant as I read...
Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2023
What Matters Most, A Sigh, and I'm Here Because spoke to my essence. I appreciate the author's intention and success in reflecting the nuances of life, which contain the true wealth of a well-lived life.
Her graceful flow of carrying the reader through a year month by month delighted me in May and mellowed me by Fall.
If you are ever wondering if it's ALL worth it and simply desire to make a moment's appreciation of life, this book would be a wonderful companion.
Angela Williams
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring Poetry
Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2023
Ann did a great job with this little poetry book. As a fellow Christian poet, I really enjoyed the way she shared her faith and prayers, and also about her home/family life, community, hobbies and interests, etc. It truly is a lovely, inspiring collection of heartfelt poetry.
Jennifer Loves Books
5.0 out of 5 stars Talented Author, Beautiful Works
Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2023
This is a great read. I felt like the author really left their heart on the pages, but with the most skillfully written content. It gives you all the feelings and the visuals of each poem. It feel like a celebration of the American traditional life. It really is a dream. I highly recommend adding this to your library.
Ingo Schaer
5.0 out of 5 stars A Quaint Reflection on Life's Tapestry
Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2023
"Our Lives in Verse: Everyday Poetry" by Ann Brubaker Greenleaf Wirtz is a delightful and accessible collection of poems that beautifully captures the simplicity and depth of everyday life. Divided into sections by months and themes, Wirtz's verses transform ordinary moments into poignant reflections, making the book appealing to both poetry enthusiasts and newcomers. With a focus on community, family, and regions, Wirtz's words evoke a sense of nostalgia and recognition. Her ability to distill complex emotions into understandable verses creates a work that celebrates the beauty of life's simple moments and resonates with readers on a personal level.
Amelia Heart
5.0 out of 5 stars great read!
Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2023
If you're a poetry lover, you must read Ann Wirtz's Our Lives in Verse. Her beautiful poetry will captivate your heart and leave you feeling uplifted and inspired. The collection is a treasure that you'll want to keep close at hand, as the poems are perfect for a peaceful evening read. Dive into this collection and let the warmth and hope of Ann Wirtz's words wash over you.
Sabatino Russo
5.0 out of 5 stars an entrancing collection of poetry
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on April 16, 2023
"Our Lives in Verse, Everyday Poetry" is an entrancing collection of poetry that captures the joy and magic of daily life. Boasting an organized structure, melodic verse, and faith-inspired themes - this book will leave you inspired and grateful - making this an essential purchase for poetry enthusiasts and those looking for moments of happiness in ordinary situations. Highly recommended!
Umran
5.0 out of 5 stars This book will fill your heart with warmth!
Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2023
I absolutely loved this collection to bits. Made me feel so warm. The Author is a kind soul, you can feel. Kudos to the Author for sharing this bundle of joy with the World.
Mayra Hernandez
5.0 out of 5 stars Boy, do I love this book.
Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2023
What an absolute delight this book is. I LOVED every piece of poetry and written word. My absolute favorite ones were “Mom and Dad,” which filled my heart ❤️ with so much joy and happiness, and “Logic vs. Reality” It's like she took my thoughts right out of my head and wrote them down. Just perfectly written. And lastly, I loved “WHAT MATTERS MOST”; every line written was right on every level!
Please get this book for yourself; you will find yourself lost in a place of joy, hope, wonder, and gratitude.
PLZ
5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely poems
Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2023
Our Lives in Verse, Everyday Poetry lives up to its title. I appreciated the variety of poems and the emotions they stirred. These poems are heartwarming, thoughtful, lighthearted, inspirational, creative, and nostalgic. They are sure to bring a smile to your face, a tear to your eye, and joy to your heart.
Quentin Tran
5.0 out of 5 stars A Soul-Stirring Collection of Poetry
Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2023
I love this book. Each poem is crafted with such care and attention to detail that you can’t help but feel a deep connection to every word. The vivid descriptions transport you into the world of each poem, making you feel as though you are a part of the story.
Arra
5.0 sur 5 étoiles Captivating and heartwarming
Commenté en France le 29 mai 2023
Poems have always been my guilty pleasure, but also my worst.
It's hard to find a work that will suit everyone, which is surprisingly not the case with Our Lives in Verse. It's a little ray of sunshine that reminds us that every day is to be celebrated. A breath of fresh air and a new look at family life and nature!
LBD
5.0 out of 5 stars Emotional
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 April 2023
This short book of verse actually brought a tear to my eye. Flowers, nature, childhood memories and simply rhyming verse which connects. Really enjoyed reading this through. Easy read from a well qualified lady who writes from the heart.
Shobana Gomes
5.0 out of 5 stars Bright and beautiful verses to me
Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2023
First I love the cover of the book. It gives you a warm feeling. The verses in the book are gorgeous and since it is May, I thought I would share a little from Peonies in May. A lovely book to reflect upon and inspire you daily.
And a good thing, too,
Because a world without
The winsome peony
Would be a sad loss of artistry,
For the world needs
The charming elegance
Of this gentle flower,
With its garden palette
Of light pink, fuchsia, and rose.
Diane Donovan, Editor Midwest Book Review:
Our Lives in Verse: Everyday Poetry pays tribute to common, ordinary life in a simple yet evocative manner that translates to its accessibility and understanding by poets and non-poets alike.
Here, the trappings of literary strength lie in both a lifelong familiarity with and appreciation of poetry and Ann Brubaker Greenleaf Wirtz's desire to comprehend, capture, and embrace everyday experience. Her fine art creates a work that both celebrates poetic efforts and remains vivid and easily understandable to her readers. She achieves this with poems that reflect experience through the lens of her faith, adding a spiritual component that will especially reach readers on similar paths to linking everyday experience with spiritual reflection.
There's a fine line between poem and prayer, which Wirtz traverses with a delicate step. Some of her writings are more spiritual letters to God, as in 'Our Community, a Prayer in Verse': "Regardless the generation,/Challenges are ever present,/For certainly the way is never easy,/But good-hearted faith and the/Determination to succeed do prevail./Thank You, Dear Lord, for our town,/A vibrant refuge, life-giving with hope,/For our place and time in its history, and/Upon this, our sheltering home..."
Others celebrate ordinary wonders, such as a summer's drive in the country, captured in 'The Hay Bales of Summer': "My car made its way/Down the winding road,/A lazy jaunt to see the sights/Of farmland and pasture/In the afternoon light.../Garden flowers were rioting,/And farm fields flourishing,/When startling my gaze/As they came into view,/Were hay bales to frankly amaze."
In representing moments of everyday life and times and injecting these with expressions of gratitude and wonder, Wirtz pays tribute not only to God, but to life. Libraries seeking literary works that remain true to poetic form and description while celebrating miracles of place and time will find Our Lives in Verse: Everyday Poetry a fine choice that holds the ability to reach literary and non-poetry readers alike.
https://www.amazon.com/Our-Lives-Verse-Everyday-Poetry/dp/1664276394
More Amazing Amazon Reviews, for which I'm both humbled and forever grateful!!!
Joe
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Collection of Poems That Celebrates the Beauty and Complexity of Everyday Life
Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2023
"Our Lives in Verse: Everyday Poetry" by Ann Brubaker Greenleaf Wirtz is a beautiful collection of poems that celebrates the beauty and complexity of everyday life. The poems are written in a simple and accessible style, with themes ranging from nature and family to love and loss.
One of the strengths of the book is its relatability. The poems touch on universal experiences and emotions, making them accessible to readers of all ages and backgrounds. Wirtz's writing is heartfelt and sincere, with a clear passion for the power of language and the beauty of the natural world.
The book is organized into several sections, each focusing on a different aspect of everyday life. The poems are accompanied by lovely illustrations that complement the mood and tone of each piece.
Overall, "Our Lives in Verse: Everyday Poetry" is a beautiful and inspiring collection of poems that reminds us of the beauty and magic of everyday life. Whether you're a fan of poetry or simply looking for a way to connect with the world around you, this book is sure to delight and inspire.
Martina D.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great poetry
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 April 2023
Lovely poetry, it will move you, bring nostalgia, make you appreciate simple things and everyday but precious moments. 5 stars.
Ebay man
5.0 out of 5 stars Got this as an early Mother's Day gift for my Mom - she loved it.
Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2023
Great for those who love nostalgic Poetry & appreciate nature. Very uplifting and thoughtful, but also has great moments of humor as well. Nice balance. If someone you know is a fan of Emily Dickinson and/or Longfellow, they'll love this book. Definite recommend.
Deborah A. Lewis
5.0 out of 5 stars Warm and Cozy
Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2023
Verified Purchase
I read the book and it just reaches your soul. The description in every poem makes you feel a part of every poem. This is a must read!
Vicente Bramadasbull
5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely and comforting read
Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2023
I found it a lovely book. I found it while looking for something to relax on these cold afternoons. I was captivated by the way the words flowed in the poems and how they captured those little moments of everyday life. The tracks were comforting and joyful, and I felt connected to the emotions they evoked.
Review of Our Lives in Verse:
Post by Moo Reny » 11 Dec 2022, 14:04
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Our Lives in Verse" by Ann Brubaker Greenleaf Wirtz.]
5 out of 5 stars
Our Lives in Verse: Everyday Poetry by Ann Brubaker Greenleaf Wirtz is a book of poems that has 74 pages and 3 sections. The first section has 13 poems, the second section has 8 poems, and the third section has 14 poems. The book starts with a part that tells readers how the book came to be.
This is a book of poetry that arose from the author's desire to clear her mind about everyday life, and as she began to put her experiences on pen and paper, she documented her journey through poems, in which we can see many things such as her aspirations, fears, and losses; would you like to know what they are? Read this book to find out.
I must commend the author's poem-writing skills. I hardly read books about poetry, but seeing how creative and well-written this poem was, I was glued to the very end of the book. In the months of the year part of the book, I love how the author explored seasons because these are ordinary things that we just see, experience, and forget about, but the author saw these various seasons and got creative with them by writing poems on them; this is truly amazing, and her description of scenes was also very vivid. I could visualize the different scenes as I read.
This book covers themes such as seasons and family, and in the first section, my favorite poem was the April poem, in which the author began creatively and simply inserted one of the most beautiful lines of poetry talking about the crucifixion of Jesus, who is the reason for celebrating Easter, and she ends it with people understanding that Jesus is the essence of Easter; she also brilliantly described him as a flower. I like how she celebrated each month and the things it held. There were many poems I could relate to as well, especially the poem "And then I thought." It made me think about the many things I thought I'd be and ended up not being.
There's nothing I can say I dislike about this book, but at some point it got me thinking if the author wrote poems for every event in her life; the June poem was emotional. For me, it made me see how quickly time passes, and there was a prayer for America, which I consider selfless, and it demonstrated love for her country, which is biblical to pray for our country. Therefore, I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. It is professionally well-edited, and I found no errors while reading it.
I recommend it to readers who love poetry and people who like to think deeply about natural phenomena; they'll relate well to this book.
The Poetry Shelf
Our Lives in Verse: Everyday Poetry
Ann Brubaker Greenleaf Wirtz
www.anngreenleafwirtz.com
WestBow Press
www.westbowpress.com
9781664276390, $9.95 Paper/$2.99 ebook
*Review of Our Lives in Verse
California Bookwatch: March 2023
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive, Oregon, WI 53575
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/calbw/mar_23.htm#poetry