Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow by Jeff Flesch – reviewed by Gabriela Marie Milton

Gabriela Marie Milton, Instagram, poetry 2 Minutes
publisher Experiments in Fiction

Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow, by Jeff Flesch, is a superb collection whose pages are saturated with poetic intelligence.  The author builds a magnificent correspondence between the natural realm and the spiritual one, without making use of language techniques most symbolists employ(ed), preferring the un-revealed/the unknown to the revealed/the known. In Jeff’s poetry nature does not need any intermediary to speak to the soul and vice versa.

Nature has always provided a feast for senses. In this collection nature provides more than the aromas of daisies and lavender, or the silhouette of the willow tree projected against the sky. It provides a journey of self-discovery which ultimately leads to a better understanding of the self.

The message is clear. The more you understand nature, the more you understand yourself.

I dance to the tune of the moon/learning more about nature/and the aspects/of self/hidden under the trees in bloom/

The identification of the movement of natural elements with love is one remarkable element of Jeff’s poetry.  

while I sit and I listen/to the clouds bursting wide open:/a deluge, like the love I feel for you/

Sometimes nature plays a restorative role and other times it becomes part of the author’s sorrows: pebbles always underfoot, while salt/ stings my eyes/always being told boys don’t cry/ pain is deep… or/and part of his love: finding the center/of a love both soft and cherished//as apples bow trees/ know that you always have been true to me:/

In the last piece included in this collection we find one of Jeff’s beliefs which serves not only as a closing argument but also as a direct way a expressing the idea that time heals everything.

At the end, we set sail on the winds of time/and let go the pain we’d held inside.

I find it interesting that despite the restorative capacity of nature, and its intimate link with the human soul, the ultimate healing does not come from nature. It comes from time.  A change of perspective that adds new depths to Jeff’s book.

Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow is an astonishing collection. Jeff’s poetry not only delights the soul. Equally it delights the intellect. It is a must have. No one will regret reading it.  

Gabriela Marie Milton
Pushcart Nominee

#1 Amazon Bestselling Author
Books:
Wounds I Healed: The Poetry of Strong Women (ed.)
Woman: Splendor and Sorrow :I Love Poems and Poetic Prose
Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings

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Published by Gabriela Marie Milton

Gabriela Marie Milton #1 Amazon Best-Selling Author, 2019 Author of the Year at Spillwords Press NYC; internationally published poet; poetry collections Woman: Splendor and Sorrow (Vita Brevis Pres, July 27, 2021); Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings (Vita Brevis Press, April, 2020)

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66 thoughts on “Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow by Jeff Flesch – reviewed by Gabriela Marie Milton”

    1. Thank you Ingrid. It’s well deserved indeed. From the bottom of my heart good luck to Jeff and you 🌸🌺🌹❤️

      Reply

    1. Thank you David. I am glad you enjoyed it. I hope everything is well with you 🌹

      Reply

      2. I am glad to hear. Vacationing. Trying to relax a bit 🌺🌸🌹

      4. I am glad you guys had a relaxing vacation. Sending love and good wishes to everyone 🌹🌺🌸

    1. Thank you Dawn. Indeed, Jeff really deserves a lot of praise. Yes you can say it one more time 😊

      Reply

  16. I said this in Jeff’s blog that i love how you pointed out this “The author builds a magnificent correspondence between the natural realm and the spiritual one, without making use of language techniques most symbolists employ(ed), preferring the un-revealed/the unknown to the revealed/the known.” because over the years poets use complex and highly technical poetic style and techniques that only poets or literary enthusiast would be able to understand.

    Reply

    1. Mich, you are a gem . Thank you so very much and congratulations on your new book 🌺🌸🌺

      Reply

  17. A beautiful review, Gabriela. It essentially details the magnificence of the poems and the poet’s deep understanding of life, suffering, and healing. 🙂

    Reply

    1. Hi Diana. Sorry for my late reply. I am glad you enjoyed the review and yes, Jeff is a wonderful writer.

      Sending lots of love.

      Gabriela

      Reply

    1. Thank you so much my dearest Navin. I am so glad you enjoyed it 🙏🌹🌺❤️🌹

      Reply

  23. An amazing review of Jeff’s first and exciting collection of his beautiful poetry. You have captured his essence and honored his ability to excite and bewitch not only yourself, but all who read him.

    Reply

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