Title: Poems for the Military Veteran, The American Workers and The American Spirit
Author: Brian Taylor
Publisher: Brian Taylor Books
ISBN: 979-8893951363
Pages: 93
Genre: Politics & Social Sciences
Reviewer: Anthony Avina
Pacific Book Review
Patriotism and a love for one’s country have been a time-honored tradition, especially in the United States for centuries. A person doesn’t always get to choose where they live, but some are lucky enough to find a home in a country either from birth or by immigrating to that country and building a home and life that few can ever even dream of. The American Dream is a pursuit so many have had when uprooting their lives and diving headfirst into becoming U.S. citizens, and a deep love of their country has defined Americans for a very long time, no matter what a person’s politics or viewpoints.
It is in that sense of patriotism the author and poet Brian Taylor shares the collection of poems Poems for the Military Veteran, The American Workers, and The American Spirit. The book is a fast-paced collection that delves into the heart of what it means to be American, from the rich history of the nation to the national and personal pastimes that people enjoy together and so much more. Crossing class division, the book speaks to all Americans, from military service men and women to the everyday American worker and citizens who enjoy the freedoms often associated with the nation.
For a book of poems, the pacing was both fast paced and yet deep in meaning. The author’s writing style in these poems does an incredible job of speaking to the everyday American while also creating a sense of nostalgia with these poems.
This could be found in the poem Mealtime, which reads, “Spend time with your family, Eat meals together at the dinner table, Turn the phones and TV off and talk to each other, Your family will be more stable.” The emotion of shedding our technological needs and connecting on a human and familial level all resonates with that sense of nostalgia in this poem.
In the poem Board Games, which reads “Playing those old board games, Brings friends and family together, The best time to play these games is during the rainy weather.” The poem artfully captures the emotional bond that forms between family members and the memories the author made during those rainy days. The poems also speak to the fabric of American politics and society, such as poems examining the Freedom of Speech and the power behind the American Flag.
Taking this collection of poetry, readers who enjoy poems in general, as well as a deep love of the United States of America and patriotism, will be thoroughly engaged in this book. The author does a great job of succinctly and effortlessly conjuring images of the events or emotions these poems are meant to evoke, and the way the author takes time to utilize poetry for military veterans, active armed forces, and even law enforcement officials will speak to those who either have served or have loved ones who do. The biggest draw for this book is in the readability of the poems themselves, for these poems pack a punch that will allow readers to come back to re-read these poems time and time again.
