Title: A Coyote Taught Me Poetry: Poetry and Prose Reflections: From the Land of Enchantment to the Sunshine State
Author: Jessica Lyn Elkins
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 978-1-5245-4929-9
Pages: 142
Genre: Poetry
Reviewed by: Beth Adams
Pacific Book Review Star
Awarded to Books of Excellent Merit
A cornucopia of writing styles fill this spaciously laid out collection of poems, stories, Haiku and even a mathematical formula by the sensitive and creative mind of Jessica Lyn Elkins, in her book A Coyote Taught Me Poetry. From the onset of her work, walking the morning trails in Albuquerque, New Mexico, one can sense the orange colored clay dust on her shoes as she pockets her writing notebook and she heads out to The Land of Enchantment awaiting her. It is there she was inspired by the raw survival instincts of a mother coyote along with her pups to find the thread of commonality which bonds the animal kingdom to the lives of ordinary people. Bringing a mindful association of emotions, observations and imagination, Elkins articulates feelings in flawless writing for all to enjoy. As a contributing author to the Live Poets Society, her work apparently began to gain popularity and recognition among her peers, no doubt fueling her passion to continue writing about her life experiences.
It takes a keen introspective mind to harvest from a desert setting so many thoughts and observations of life. Then, moving on to the Sunshine State, she took a 180 degree turn from the dry, dusty desert into the plush, moist and abundant land of Florida. Here, once again, she immerses readers into the beauty and balances of nature, with such admirable descriptions one realizes she can achieve anything she so desires to convey with her powerful use of wordsmithing. The final phase of her writing is filled with memorial poems and prayers to those which passed away in her life. Showing off the love of each of her mother and others she wrote about, she keeps a dry-eyed appreciation to having each in her life.
This collection is best bought as a paper bound version instead of the electronic form. It is something readers will cherish, going back often to re-read parts as if new again, each time gaining more wisdom and emotion. Jessica Lyn Elkins is very down-to-Earth, being a person everyone would love to sit down with in a casual setting and talk about “things.” By picking up your copy of A Coyote Taught Me Poetry, you get just that opportunity as if I had the feeling I now know her and can call her a friend. A perfect gift book for a friend or loved one, it also is a perfect gift for yourself. This is not only poetry, it is art and the definition of humanity. I found “A Coyote Taught Me Poetry” by Jessica Lyn Elkins to be a unique treasure, that should be enjoyed over and over again. It would be a great book for a reading group or poetry club, and all fans of poetry and nature. Anyone so inclined to lose themselves in an array of extraordinary experiences should indulge in a copy of this book.
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