Title: Waiting for Spring
Author: Zoë Hickerson
Publisher: Crest Media Distribution
ISBN: 9781954223066
Genre: Poetry
Pages: 66
Reviewed by: Lisa Brown-Gilbert

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A haunting traipse into the heart and mind of author Zoë Hickerson, Waiting for Spring, presents her collection of poetic works which roil with deep, dark emotions while exploring and earnestly expressing her personal pain filled journey towards healing, self-forgiveness and the return of her self-confidence. This is the fifth published compilation of her poetic works, which definitely leaves an impression on the psyche.

Initially, what stands out about the works in this book, is the invading sense of working through her particular struggles in life, which pervades each poetic sentiment. Ultimately, author Zoë Hickerson expresses a powerful range of emotions throughout this thought-provoking compilation.

Each stanza delves into the recesses of the troubled heart and mind of author Zoë Hickerson, making her pain more than noticeable, as it becomes increasingly tangible with each work making her heartache a resonated echo of her past experiences. However, there are also those works which also express semblances of glimmers of hope, occasionally present. While ultimately, each poem seems to present an ode to the particular aspects of her internal struggles and movements towards recovering herself.

Moreover, within each poetic effort, she adeptly conveys sentiments such as depression, with works like Delicate Little Flower.  Suicidal thoughts come through her works like; I Can Understand, Its Enormous, Honesty and Transparency, Casual as You can Be, and Rainbows End. She also intimates her hidden sexuality with 16, her bouts with drug addiction are revealed through works like, Dysfunctional, while works such as Being Led down the Garden Path and The Every Seeing Eye delve into the theme of rejection. Also, from the other side of the spectrum works like Ding Dong, and Tipping Point bring willpower to the fore.  The theme of unrequited love pulls at the heart with works like, When Love turns Dry, she also touches on a bit of the esoteric with It’s Some Different Latitude. However, one of her most powerfully emotional poems in my opinion is I hate the Human Race; it is angry, raw and powerful.

Altogether, Zoë Hickerson’s Waiting for Spring, made for an entertaining read, which I did enjoy, however, there is a need for some minor editing throughout the book as well as the kindle display needs to be realigned, as the poems often don’t fit on the same page. Albeit, while the poems are primarily dark-natured and riddled with pain, anger, fear and suicidal thoughts, it is easy to resonate with the author’s journey, pain and triumph, through this expression of her experiences and I do recommend this poetic compilation.