The Death Song of Wen'Etra by Wesley R Turner: Book Review

 3/5

This book was sent to me by the author to review and this has not impacted the outcome of the review. The opinions stated are mine and mine alone.

First off, I have to start by saying, it is categorized as historical fiction, which is not accurate. Historical fiction must be based on real and accurate research of a specific time period. Though the characters and plot may be fictional and made up, it must be based upon real life events, or a real life people group that has been researched and proven to have existed. The author has done an amazing job at making up history. Wesley Turner's idea is both creative and unique, however this would fall under fantasy or general fiction. This can be found on Google and I quote, "While the story is fictional, the foundation must be rooted in real history, not a completely imaginary world that just happens to be "ancient". In summary: The crucial aspect is that the author is writing from research and experience, or a researched understanding of a time period that is separate and different from the author's own present." End quote. In the end this seems like a minor detail, but when people pick up a book in a genre, it comes with certain expectations, so getting that right is crucial. 

I admire Wesley's creativity and how well thought out this created history and timeline are. It clearly took a lot of time and effort to come up with, and this shows in the writing. His prologue needed to be made clear that it was not actual history, hence my note on historical fiction, however, it was excellent and crucial to understanding the rest of the book. The use of poetic language is done well, though it does lack a flow, feeling almost choppy in parts. This led to it being too repetitive at times as well. That being said, the use of descriptions was well inputted and added to painting a vivid picture in the reader's mind. Sadly, at times this did not carry over to the characters, who all felt shallow and underdeveloped. Aedliss is the main character, but by the end, I still felt like I barely knew him. Back to the point on creativity, the battle between light and darkness/good and evil, is a very traditional theme, but it was presented in a fresh way. It draws clear parallels between many religions, and made for a good comparison.

Overall, if you are looking for a book that is poetic in nature and tells a story with religious themes, then it would be a good book to read.

Battle of Good and Evil

A poem close to my heart. Written based upon my experience in attempted suicide, that, thankfully, was stopped by the Good Lord. Hope you enjoy and take in the meaning behind the words. 

Battle of Good and Evil

In these times my heart sinks, my mind is filled with dread

Sorrow clouds all my thoughts; my lips can no longer smile

Tears pour down my anguished face as I see the pain of others

My gut is filled with knots and turns from my terrible angst

Trembling I hit the cold ground, weak from desperate sorrow

My feet and legs have lost all will to hold my heavy weight

Hands that no longer hold or grasp; arms that no longer lift

Helplessness fills my very being, unable to give aide

Screams fill my aching ears, my eardrums threatening to burst

Blood encompasses my nostrils, burning itself into my brain

Bitterness lights itself on my tongue, torturing my taste buds

Sourness rapes my mind, forcing its way into my memory

All hope seems lost, faith ebbs, disappearing like smoke

Darkness encompasses the very existence of humanity

Storm clouds fill the sky, swirling in bitter angry circles

The wind whips furiously, dust tears harshly at my face

Death is immanent, roaring like a black train in the night

But wait, all hope may not be lost, some may yet remain

Light bursts through the darkness, piercing the cloud’s heart

Thunder is silenced and lightning out shone by the sunlight

Cutting wind is calmed, replaced with a peaceful silence

The sourness in my memory, overthrown with joyful throngs

The bitterness on my tongue turns to a beautiful sweetness

Scents of flowers creeps into my nostrils, replacing the blood

Joyful cries burst through the screams, ears leaping for joy

Strength comes to my limbs as I push to my feet again

Hands grabbing my sword, arms lifting them high in the air

My gut now untangles its knots, jumping back to life again

Tears of joy rain down my face, glittering in the sun’s rays

A smile breaks my solemn lips, my heart pumping excitedly

We have been freed from our dreadful, painful sorrows

Hope is restored; victory is within our straining grasps

Victory means survival, survival is to live another day

To live another day, is to laugh in the face of immanent death



Thanks for reading. Hope this poem can mean as much to you all as it means to me. As always let me know your thoughts in the comments and feel free to share, just give credit where credit is due. 

New Website

Got a new website for a combined space for my writing of novels and poems, as well as all of my photography. Looking forward to having everyone check it out and give my their thoughts.
https://tpeters745.wixsite.com/tonyalexanderphoto

Hoping this will be a convenient way for everyone to find my posts. And maybe buy a few pieces, as well as getting information they may need.

Babbling On Poem

A fun poem entry today for those starting summer holidays. And those with children complaining of boredom. The cure? Get them writing, reading, or heading outdoors!

Babbling On

What to do? What to write?

I want to write so bad it hurts

My head says yes, my hand agrees

My brain is overused and stressed

Losing interest, unfocused

The words just will not come

From my tired and overheated mind

My heart won’t guide my pen

For it is to preoccupied with love

How can I write

In such a state as this?

Guess I’ll just write nothing

Cause nothing’s coming to mind

You simply can’t write what isn’t there

I think I’ll just go to sleep

Cause I’m feeling

             So v

                       e

                          r

                               y

                                   

                                   t

                                                   i            

                                           r

                                             e

                                                 d

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Thanks for reading. Hope you all enjoy your summer holidays. Remember I don't mind you sharing, just give credit where credit is due!

Beautiful Love

Beautiful Love

Your beauty, your beauty, where to start?

You are like a beautiful sweet-smelling flower

One glance and I think I am in heaven

One look and I think I’ve seen an angel

Two looks and I know it must be true

We talk and all my troubles fade away

Our eyes meet and my heart races

You smile and I know I must be in love

We hug and I can’t stop thinking of forever

You say I love you and my world spins

If this is love, never let it stop

If this is a dream, I hope I never wake up

My head says dream on, but my heart says it’s real

Either way, I don’t care, as long as you are with me

Thank you for reading! Hope you enjoyed. Feel free to let me know your thoughts in the comments, and share this. Just make sure you give credit where credit is due. 

Avalanche

Happy Canada Day post! What's more Canadian than snowy winters? Here is a short poem as a cool down for the summer heat. Enjoy!

Avalanche

An innocent looking hill

Turns deadly in one quick second

A heart-stopping rumble

An earth-shattering roar

The sound of death is heard

As the snow turns into a flash flood

Racing towards unsuspecting skiers

Looking up in horror, too late

Blinded, falling victim to the beast

The roaring lion

Has already eaten its prey

Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think in the comments or by sharing this!

Remember if using this poem, give credit where credit is due!

Ages of Love

A much brighter and more cheerful poem for today's entry. Hope you will all enjoy reading.

Ages of Love

To dream the dreams of a thousand years and fall in love as many have before me

The same story playing out time and time again, each time with a new twist

Each time the love is the same, yet each time the love is so very different

The love I feel, is the same love felt thousands of years before I discovered love

The same as that love the wandering nomad felt when in search of a mate

The same love desired by the noble knight, fighting for the appreciation of a fair lady

As the sailor, sailing home to see his fair maiden; who is awaiting his return

As the soldier, fighting to protect his wife and children from harms dreadful grasp

Love has connected all these ages, though thousands of years have gone by

As love has connected so many hearts, though the hearts are miles apart

Love strikes at the heart and soul of the world, knocking down all defenses

An unstoppable force that no one, nor anything can protect against or destroy

But something so beautiful and so divine as love, should not be obstructed

The look in their eyes, the smile on their faces, the tender touch of a loving hand

The passionate kiss and the delicate, loving embrace of protecting arms

What better dream can anyone hope for, then to dream of an unconditional love?

For thousands of years love has been dreamed of, by every heart and soul

Some find it; some do not, but those who do…                

               

                                                                  Set the stage for another thousand years

Thank you for reading! Hope it was to your liking. Let me know in the comments below. 

After the Party

I apologize this is a very dark poem today. Originally this poem was written for a book I was writing, from the perspective of the main character in the novel. The main character has been abused and writes from that experience. The book has been in the works for a while, it has been a tough one, that I have stopped writing at many points. Who knows, I may never finish it, but I figured I would share a poem from that novel, which I have named, Insignificant Voices. 

After the Party

Doorbell rings and in they come. Parents welcome all who show

Out come the drinks for one and all. Laughing. Drinking. Smoking

House begins to reek. I hate this place with all my heart, stinking house

Desperate for them all to leave, put a bitter end to this night unending

Get the stings out of the way, blows rain down like blood after a battle

Music so loud, pounding but I don’t mind. Music drowns out the voices

Voices I hate. Voices I despise. Murmuring incessantly like cicadas  

Cops crash the party. Angry neighbor made a noise complaint

Could they not have come earlier? My night can finally be over

Gone, gone at last. Gone except for the two whom I hate most

Why couldn’t they be drunk enough to forget where they live?

I wish they’d go away with all their stinking drunk and stumbling friends

They order me to clean up their mess; I knew they would, as always

Every party is much the same, that’s how I know what’s to come

Shivers run down my spine, someone stepping on my welcoming grave

A tear burns bitterly down my cheek, but the worst is yet to come

Mom has passed out gracefully on the couch, that’s one less for later

Dad stumbles drunkenly towards me, fearfully cringing in anticipation

The first slap. I don’t move. My head spins, my head hurts, blasted

Second slap, my nose bleeds. A flood of crimson red anger rising up

Hatred courses bitterly through my veins, darkening the world around

A punch; right in my gut. Laughing drunkenly as I throw up, jerk

Another punch blackens my eye. Each week gets worse and worse

One last punch. I fall down and he laughs harder. I hate him more

He kicks me now and I cry, unable to contain it any longer, unbearable

Falling down, he passes out. For him the day is over, memory wiped clean

A broken rib, a bloody nose, a blackened eye, a split lip, damage surveyed

What kind of lowlife trash does this to his son? Not worth the air he breathes

Every week is much the same. Next week will be a little worse

A tornado of anger and hate billows destructively inside me, full of ash

The devil’s fire burned into my soul. Devil, laying there, grinning, asleep

I can still barely breathe, gasping through stabs, jerking with the effort

That snake winded me, I want to kill this piece of trash when I catch my breath

I want to rid my world of this venomous snake who should love me

Breathe, breathe, I wish but the ragged breaths are becoming more difficult

Seeing two of him, great, just what I always wanted. Merry frigging Christmas!

I feel so sick; my head is spinning like a top and hurts, no, throbs so bad

I smell my vomit beneath me and alcohol from this drunk’s clothes

Why can’t I breathe?!

Darn it, what’s wrong with me?!

Get up!

He’s really done it this time! Hurts worse than any other time before

Not that he cares, he’s going to love this when he wakes up

Heck he’ll love it so much, he’ll want to do it again, a reason to drink

Not that he needs a reason for that. Any excuse is a good one

Can’t breathe. Coughing. Blood foamed lips. That can’t be good

Why can’t I have an end to these beatings?

I feel so darn dizzy!

Why do I feel so dizzy?!

Oh so…

              Dizzy

                       Almost

                                   Like

                                           I’m

                                                 Drowning…

 

Thank you for reading, I promise the next poem I post will be a lot more cheery. Would love to hear some feedback!

ABC's For God

Here is another poem that I wrote years ago. Kind of fun to look at now that I have kids.

ABC's for God

Absolute power He holds in His Holy hands

Beautiful and mighty is His precious name

Celebrate for He has given us salvation

Dance for the heavenly reward is in sight

Eternity with my Holy Savior is my reward

Forgiveness has been granted for my sins

Given freedom by the Holy Lamb of God

Happy to be in the presence of His Holiness

Intrigued by the thought of eternity with Him

Jesus paid the price for all who believe

King of Kings, I shout for all to hear

Lord of Lords, the angels shout in return
Magnificent is the glory of His name

Nations bow down at His glorious feet

Offering praises to their Majestic King

Pouring their pleading hearts out to Him

Qualms and fears disappear with their faith

Righteousness they know they have found

Save me Lord! They all cry out desperately

Trust has been put in the omnipotent Savior

Understanding their need for a miracle

Victory can only be found in the Lord

Wondrous is the grace and mercy of God

X-alted rightfully above all else, worthy

You only, can they trust with their souls

Zealous for Your honor they have become

Now I know my ABC’s, Lord help me remember Thee

Thanks for reading. don't mind you sharing this, just ask before copying the poem. Copyrighted. Feel free to let me know what you think.

A Song for My Love

Most of my readers know by now that I am an author and photographer. Many will even know that I have been married to my high school sweetheart for over 11 years now. Little known fact though, is that I have been writing since I was 7 or 8. Back then it was stories. In high school I continued to write stories and began writing the book Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping, which I published while in college. In high school I began writing poetry, mostly out of boredom during class, as writing helped me focus. This is how I helped swoon the love of my life. The following poem is one of those written for her. I plan to compile these poems into a book that has been copyrighted and will be published at some point in the near future, so keep your eye out for that! I will be posting samples of the Copyrighted poems on my blog over the coming weeks, and I hope that you enjoy. Some are fun/silly, some are about love, some are about faith/hope, some are about struggles/dark times. I would encourage you to read these poems out loud, as that is how poems are meant to be enjoyed. So go ahead, find your serenity space, read it out loud, let the words surge through your veins. 

A Song for My Love

Where to go? What to do?

I feel so lost and so confused

I’ve never felt this way before

I’ve got butterflies and feel so dizzy

I should tell you how I feel

But when you’re around

I feel so short of breath

So torn up inside

The words I just can’t find

So let me tell you now

How I feel inside

For you need to know

When you’re not around

I just want to cry

For my heart aches so bad

I wish you’d never leave

So I could see your pretty face

And look into your lovely eyes

I wish I could tell you I love you

From the depths of my heart

That I’ll cherish you forever

Long into eternity

But the words evade my mouth

And for that my heart breaks

You deserve to hear those words

The words I love you

I want you, I need you

Without you I would fade away

I wish I could find the words

To tell you how I feel

My lovely sunshine

My beautiful rose

I hope this is enough

To make you see

Just how I feel

I love you

Thanks for reading! I look forward to your comments!

Panic from Within

Was really anxious this morning, and for those who do not suffer from anxiety, I figured I would give some insight into the world of anxiety and mental illness in general. Hope you enjoy my poem.

Panic from Within

A painful twisting knot pressing on my diaphragm

Tightening, gripping, tearing away my breath

A disabling disease, as my brain works against me

A cancer burning through every inch of my body

Stabbing

      Thieving

              Confident

                       Weakening

                                 Destructive

                                          Crippling

                                                  Deadly

Panic sweeps through my veins, muscles clench

Blackness clouds my vision, blurring the world

Spinning, losing control, fighting for my very breath

Drowning

        Gasping

               Fighting

                       Battling

Mind over body, anxiety pushing against reason

Confusion

         Doubt

               Senseless

Powerlessness ripping apart my very existence

I must not give in, reason rushes forward, slicing

Battling back these forces of darkness from within

Light dissipating the fog, casting away the clouds

Anger

     Frustration

                 Bitterness

Winding up its own power, defeating the powerlessness

A sunrise on the horizon, night gives way to none-other-than

Hope

     Faith

          Victory

Darkness

Lately things have been a real battle for me. I have been diagnosed with depression, PTSD, and OCD. None of which really surprised me. I have been struggling with this for a really long time, and am finally getting the help I need. Discussing it with someone else, and seeking help was the single most difficult thing I have ever chosen to do. Wrote the following poem.  

Darkness

Pain, sheer agonizing pain, invisible to the naked eye, yet more devastating than the obvious

Sharp shoots from nerve endings as pricks try to distract and relieve what is trapped within

Wish that physical hurts were enough, but are dim in comparison to decades of trauma

Darkness, sadness, despair, all destructive and yet I embrace them with knowing arms

Light, happiness, hope, all long gone, flittering moments in time, cherished yet forgotten

Locked away within my head, a voice which commands, nay demands to be triumphant

Control must be kept, giving in only in brief moments of weakness, shame swift to follow

Shadows of darkness creeping around the fading edges, nipping at the very heels of sanity

Battle lines drawn, wavering, slowly falling, entrapped by inevitable losses, destroyed

Fear, desperate freezing fear, the unknown future, not trusting the brain to do what’s right

Pain whispers from within, calling out, screaming to be unleashed, set free, chains rattled

Tears, wish they would flow, yet not to be found, long since drained, emptied, dried up

Fingers clawing, grasping for a hold, something to keep afloat, drowning in snaring gloom

Eclipsed, falling into the abyss, lost in the blackness, claustrophobic as the walls close in

Blindness, unable to see a clear path, confused by the thick fogginess covering the road

If anyone else is experiencing depression and wants someone to talk with, please feel free to comment on this with contact info. 

Touching Story

It has been forever since I last posted anything on here, but today something happened that I have to share. This post will be quite a bit different from my usual posts.

This week I am in a hotel in Calgary for an HR training session, and I have been eating my meals at the hotel's restaurant. During supper, a couple was sitting 2 tables over from me, and was not exactly the quietest in their conversation. I must say I normally try not to listen to people's conversations, but this conversation intrigued me. Here is what that conversation entailed...

Here sits a man in his late fifties, and woman around the same age. They sit awaiting their food. It is clear that this is not there first date, but they are definitely still in the get-to-know-you stage of the relationship, (later in the convo I find out it is a second unofficial date). Since their last date he has found out the news every North American dreads, he has been diagnosed with cancer. She is carrying on about how giddy she is about him and how she couldn't sleep just thinking about him. He then stops her and gives her the news, which he thinks will be a shock to her. She doesn't seem off guard or anything, just says that she would like the opportunity to stand by him in his struggle. He then informs her that he can't continue to have a relationship with her, due to his cancer and his upcoming treatments, He won't put anyone through that. It has nothing to do with her, just his treatments.

Her response is to be extremely understanding and tell him that she understands. She wants him to at least allow her to be there for him as a friend. To text him and ask how he is doing, and to be there for him after each dose of Chemo. Now at this point I am picturing in my head how it ate away ate my grandpa, and slowly took away every once of what he once was. I can understand why no one would want to put anyone through that, and I am not sure if she realizes just what she is asking of him, but if she does then that truly says how precious her personality is. Not sure that I would ever want anyone around during treatments if I should end up down that road, but I do know I would need more support than I could give myself.

She refuses to take no for an answer and he seems to give in, meaning he really does want the support, just feels bad putting someone through that. He then tries to change the subject and ask about her life, which being a man I understand his desire to not focus on himself, but to have the attention brought onto someone else. She is not having that either. She tells him her issues are not life threatening, nor are they important, his are. She wants him to talk about it. He responds with it being the kind of thing for relationships. A correction is given though, Saying that this is the kind of things friends do for one another, she doesn't have any friends, but if she did that is the kind of thing she would want out of a friendship. He gives in by giving consent to her being there for him, just not as a couple. At this point these people are breaking my heart.

What I want to do is to just go over and sit down with them, excuse myself for listening in, but I can't really help hearing, though I could have tried more. I want to shake him, but not too hard as I have no idea where his cancer is, and tell him to screw his cancer, just date the woman already! And just darnwell kiss her! Of course I am far to timid for that kind of thing, and would need a lot of alcohol, not unlike Raj off of Big Bang Theory, in order to have the confidence for that. I was really tempted to pay for their meal though, and my wife texted me that she felt I should write them an anonymous note, but again, I can't really bring myself to inform them their private moment was overheard.

They finish eating at the same time I do, As she is leaving she tells him that she wanted him to know that she really enjoyed talking with him, and that she thinks he is a wonderful man. I got the feeling that these 2 are just a couple of genuine, kind-hearted individuals. I can't help but say a little prayer for them. I pray that he makes it through the treatments, defeats the cancer, and that he allows her to stand by him throughout that time. And that it all works into them being an official couple. I know, call me a sappy romantic, little does anyone know that I have cried during my wife's chick-flicks (well now I guess everyone knows). I ask that you all pray the same! And God please forgive my eavesdropping!!!!!!! No lightning please. Remember I have 2 precious children who need a father.

O Lord, Thy sovereign grace endures, arms open wide
Suffering shapes this world, Satan's warped humour
Who are we to judge you God for allowing such pain
But Mercy Divine, take this beast and thrust it down
Destroy its very being, and make it bow at Your feet!
Only You in all Your wisdom can make this be so
Cancer be gone, set this world free from your grips!
You have touched every soul, saddened all hearts
Satan be gone, spare the world your fiendish snares!
You have destroyed what is good, torched all souls!
Jesus Take the saddle!
Ride Your White Horse among us!
Let Your Grace wash over us
Turn our black hearts to white!


Tony Peters

Book Review- Martina Reisz Newberry- Perhaps You Could Breathe For Me

Martina Reisz Newberry- Perhaps You Could Breathe For Me (Xlibris 2009) 3.75 Stars

Martina Newberry has put together a beautiful collection of poems. Her poems flow smoothly, speaking of a variety of issues our world is dealing with. Martina makes you look at yourself in a different light, wanting to change the way you live and think about the world’s many problems. My favourite poem in this collection had to number 35, Surviving Sundown. It is a wonderful poem with a lot of imagery and shows much thought.
There were a few poems that had lines I wondered about, feeling that they did not quite fit into the main theme of the poem, which kind of threw me off. In a couple of others I was trying to get the rhythm and couldn’t quite find it, but maybe that’s just me.
Overall I loved the collection and would recommend it to poetry lovers around the world.

If you liked this review look for more at my website, www.tonypeters.webs.com

Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping
www.eloquentbooks.com/kidsonacase.html