Over Clouds of Cotton
Independently published
$13.00
You can purchase a copy here.
Reviewed by guest blogger, Anthony Palma
When one thinks of clouds, the easy meandering, organic flow of nature comes to mind. This flow moves gracefully, easily, and without interruption. It is therefore fitting that Emiliano Martín named his new book Over Clouds of Cotton, a work full of grace, ease, and craft that reminds us just how talented a writer Martin is.
Over Clouds of Cotton begins with a statement about how the book addresses “a variety of themes dealing with poetry itself,” something that is very clear throughout the poems it contains. Poems like “Wisely” and “Simple Wannabe” bring us into the rooms where poetry is being shared, capturing the good and bad of poetry in performance. Others, such as “To Write a Poem,” more overtly address the act of writing as an almost Zen-like endeavor. This poem in particular subtly creates a brief snapshot of the author at work, showing us where Martín’s work comes from, not a place of anger or excitement, but of peace.
Poetry is not the only subject of Martín’s work. Much of this collection explores the poetry of living. The poem “Serious Feeling” describes how life appears to end, “when we happen to fall / off / the tree branch of tenderness,” and like many poems in this collection, connects love and creativity as necessary parts of the human experience. Other poems such as “Way to Miss Her” describe love, loss, and memory. It captures those moments when we look back and think about what could have been, moments and emotions that are instantly recognizable, and infinitely relatable.
Other poems provide meditations on existence and self. For example, “Effervescence of Bubbles” deftly identifies a simple, everyday act as a moment of pure existence. Like in so many poems in this collection, the author wrestles with ideas beyond words, but translates them into lyric moments that are at once simple and as deep as the ocean.
What most struck me about this collection was its tone. From the beginning, Martín offers his thoughts in a unique, tranquil way, regardless of whether he is offering social commentary or quiet musings. This is because Martin seems to feel that we all are after a common end. We all pursue peace and harmony, as stated in “Agree to Disagree:”
Then we could simply make a point
to agree to disagree
and keep on breathing at ease
while enjoying it in peace.
It appears that, to Martín, all of the nonsense that occurs around us distracts us from what is really important, that we spend most of our lives disconnected from the people and things we truly love. By heeding Martín’s call we cut through those distractions, and by doing so find ourselves closer to the existences we were meant to experience.
This collection is meant for the dreamer in us all. In this world of confusion, strife, and decay, Martín’s work offers us inspiration and the hope that despite all that we have suffered through, we will all find our way.
Anthony Palma’s work attempts to bridge the gap between poetry and other forms while addressing issues of social justice, identity, and existence. His work has appeared in publications such as Rue Scribe, Oddball Magazine, and the Show Us Your Papers Anthology. His debut collection of poetry, flashes of light from the deep (Parnilis Media), is now available on Amazon. He recently published Horror, a chapbook. His latest project is Palmoetry, a YouTube channel of his poetry and performances that are sometimes enhanced with music. Be sure to look him up on social media at anthonypalmapoetry.