Garden of Faith:
A Review By Kye Faithfield
The Soul of a Poet:
Garden of Faith by Ruth Y. Nott
In the past, Poets of verse were sometimes thought to have what we call artistic temperament, meaning they were eccentric or perhaps even a bit immoral. This so-called temperament was excusable in some circles, seen as an inevitable aspect or consequence of creativity. As some still claim today, there’s a fine line between genius and madness.
Whether or not that is true, Such figures as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Alfred Noyes, Edna St. Vincent Millay, and even Helen Steiner Rice, personify for many the highest art of versification. They not only rhymed according to the generally accepted rules of good taste, judgment, and word music, but they did with rhyme what so many failed modern poets cannot seem to do: in rising above the pedantic and often obscure, they sang to the masses.
In the case of Ms. Rice, that song expressed her faith in God whom she cherished, obviously, above all else. And in her latest self-published book of poems, Garden of Faith, as well as in each of her four other collections, what Ruth Y. Nott has always most cherished is clear: a love of family (Family Matters, An Eclectic Family Anthology); a delight in God, and a wonderment at the everyday small miracles which only one who is sensitive to the world around them likely appreciates.
The beauty of flowers. Quilting as a metaphor for life (Crazy Patch). The touch of a lover’s hand; the miracle of birth (Haiku for Lovers). The joy of a puppy. These are the expressions of Ruth’s artistic temperament, made valid by the gentle simplicity of her language and its ability to immediately communicate her emotions. No high-sounding phrases, empty witticisms or pretentious falderal are her stock in trade. Rather, life’s tender joys and sad disappointments (Where Memory Lingers), the sunshine and the rain of our garden of human experience, are the canvases upon which Ruth paints her lovely, heartfelt words.
-----------------
Genre: Poetry/Spirituality
Title: Garden of Faith
Author: Ruth Y. Nott
Garden of Faith is a compilation of poet Ruth Nott’s poetry, published in magazines, anthologies, poetry websites, etc. It is her fifth book of poetry.
As with most poetry, it is personal, heartfelt and inspiring. The poet takes the reader on a walk through her “Garden of Faith.”
Something about a Garden begins:
There is something about a garden
Which transcends this stressful world
And takes us far beyond today
To rest, release and even play.
The words are soothing, relaxing and make readers want to immerse themselves in the restful embracing atmosphere created by the writer. Whether rhyming, sonnet or musical lyric, the work is always faith based and enlightening.
Reassurance will uplift and inspire.
Oh my struggling, poor lost soul
It’s God can make you truly whole!
When you need him most, He’ll be there
Reach out and let Him take you where…..
Upon the Farther Shore is written in musical verse with chorus repeated.
"My Savior waits for me upon the farther shore..."
Poetry lovers and those looking for daily inspiration will pick up this book often. Comfort and joy will be found in the pages of Ruth Nott’s poetry book. Ruth lives in Florida and is a member of the Suwannee River Poets of Chiefland and the Sunshine Poets of Crystal River.
Recommended by reviewer: Shirley Roe, Allbooks Review.
A Pure and Simple Faith
A Review by Kye Faithfield of healingtherift.com
April 1, 2005
Ruth Y. Nott's first book is what she terms "inspirational poetry", an expression of her own creative inspiration as well as her wish to inspire others through it. Her poems are, as characterized by the book's title, "pure and simple"—so simple, in fact, that they have an aura of innocence about them, a childlike wonderment at the aspects of life which have touched her own, whether good or bad, happy or sad or tragic (see, for example, Everyday Miracles, below). The verses, essentially informal rhymes, may reflect meaningful periods and events in her life.
This is not mere conjecture. In her autobiographical preface, it soon becomes clear that few things are as important to her as her family, of whom she speaks with a caring wife's and mother's tender love. Ms. Nott has needed the strength of that love to carry her through pangs of adversity, including the death of her second child at twenty-one months. Yet that adversity, and her capacity to love her family, her friends, and her God, has translated into lyrical verses meant to touch the reader and written, as the book's subtitle expresses, "from the heart of Ruth Y. Nott".
Ms. Nott calls her gentle lyrics "word-dancing with God. The 66-page work allows her faith and love to shine through while also acknowledging the doubts we all sometimes feel. In her poetry, Ruth emphasizes that, in a world filled with temptation, disappointment and heartache, God's love and support are still available to us all."
From her earliest submissions to Healing the Rift.com, Ruth's lovely poems have been much enjoyed. We are pleased to present the following new poems from A Pure and Simple Faith, and encourage our readers to support her writing by purchasing her book. For more information, please visit her website at: http://www.creativewordspoetry.com or contact her at nottruth@yahoo.com.
A Review by J. Kaval of "Katha Kshetre", an international literary journal
Ruth Nott is a native of Florida, US who has found poetry to be a valued part of her life. Her poetry reflects her faith and values and a deep love for family. The poems in this collection bear witness to her vision on life as a long journey studded with flowers, thorns, shadows and love. The book has 55 small poems touching various aspects of Christian faith and life and born out of the author's experiences. What is poetry? Ruth answers: "Poetry is a person's attempt to make sense of his/her world in meter and rhyme." How did she make sense of her life? By writing poetry. "I wrote about my children. I wrote about myself. I wrote about a loving God." So we have beautiful poems like Mother, The Melodies of Your Soul, I Wonder, Sing Joyfully, and many more. Each one reflects on human life. We just quote a small poem titled 'A Thousand Smiles':
"Behind a thousand smiles
lies the pain of just one tear,
which still lingers in your heart,
never fading through the years!"
Let us have a look at another one titled 'Hope':
"A new day begins with each rising sun,
a new lease on life 'til each day is done.
And when the darkness encases our soul,
and we stumble and grope toward our goal,
then hope is all to which we cling,
and hope alone the song we sing."
The readers will find in this collection poems inspiring, encouraging and informing. Her works have been published in various anthologies, journals and poetry magazines. This small book is brought out beautifully.
