5 Pillars of the Gypsy by Lesley Fletcher

I am going to begin this blog with a disclaimer.... I do not read poetry. I have a dear friend, Debra, that writes poetry and I do read hers - because I love her.  Not sure when I decided I didn't like poetry - I don't remember ever liking it.. Unless you count funny stuff and limericks! : )

Anyway, my friend Jean Ann suggested I read "5 Pillars of the Gypsy" by Lesley Fletcher - a friend of hers!! (stay with me - this will get less confusing... I hope)

I love helping to promote new or less known authors but I will admit a bit of reluctance on my part concerning a book of poetry. But - Jean Ann is a childhood friend and so I decided to give it a whirl.

I have spent my adult life living as a Christian in a Crhistian environment. So, when I first started the book and saw:

"To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; A time to kill and a time to heal" A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to love, and a time to hate; A time of war, and a time of peace."

-  but then noticed this author attributed this phrase to Prime Minister Rabin - I was taken aback. It was first penned in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 by King Solomon. So I googled Prime Minister Rabin and realized that she quoted a part of his speech given in an emotional voice on the White House lawn on September 14, 1993 on behalf of peace. What a beautiful stanza to begin any book!

Synopsis:

"Page after page bursts with vivid imagery, compassion and mystery. This book grants you permission to sing, to dance and to cry along the way. “5 Pillars of the Gypsy” is a collection of poetry and art that will awaken your spirituality and heighten your senses."

My favorite part of the book was the art! Lesley Fletcher is a wonderful artist. This book is woven together with art that is as emotional and energetic as her poetry. My favorites are "The Tango," "Join Me," and "Poppies."  - See, even the titles grab your attention and draw you in!!

Now on to the poetry! I really did like more of it than I imagined I would! I think my favorite was the first poem in the book, "The Mission." 

The last stanza of "The Mission" goes like this:

"...In doing so I was renewed,

As was my main ambition.

To sing and dance, rejoice in life,

... I accept this simple mission."

I also enjoy "Time." The first stanza:

"The hands of time are messing 

With this crazy head of mine

One minute time is racing by

Next minute quiet lull."

Leslie Fletcher is an author that has lived in our shoes and is able to put the experiences on paper - in a much more lyrical way than I ever could!

When asked what is a Gypsy? Fletcher answered:

"The true definition is often debatable but currently the Romanis hold the largest population of genuine Gypsies with a close following of the Pavee which are from Ireland and Tinkers from the UK. My definition for the purpose of this book is a person prone to wandering, unsettled and searching for answers which is more like a definition of a Gypsy Soul."

Some reviews I've read from others:

"Leslie has adapted a beautiful style of writing poetry. She uses a bit of the traditional style and a diverse technique of writing."

".....was this a good book! I loved every single piece of it. The amazing paintings just jumped right off the page and the words touched me down to my soul. After finishing this book I felt at peace and comfortable in my own skin for once in my life." 

 "I LOVE this book even though I thought I didn't like poetry. Les just blows me away with how her words create visions and stories that describe my feelings and growth over time. Each story/poem speaks to something in my life. I feel like I'm on the same journey and have travel some of the same roads. I'm reading The Healing at a friend's wedding on Sept. 7, 2012. Jean Ann French, DBA, MBA "

Let me share with you the gifts Jean Ann presented as wedding gifts:

Beautiful gifts with Lesley's art and poems.

 

Lesley Fletcher also says"

" I have been told on many occasions that it is a book that is kept by the bed-side, or near the reading chair and picked up, read and applied to the reader’s own personal journey in life. I think what they mean is it is quite soothing to have another share their own thoughts and beliefs. Very often people think they are alone when in fact many of us are not if we learn to connect with like-minded souls."

Okay, I'm going to be completely honest here. After looking through these poems, reading some of them to my husband, then rereading the ones I chose as my "favorites" I made a discovery about myself. I believe that I have never liked poetry because it exposes too much. I noticed that I picked as my favorites, the ones most removed from the the reader. The ones about time and happiness. You know, the peripheral.  The ones that made me the most uncomfortable were the ones about deep inner feelings, sex, lust. I realize I stay relatively "surface" in many ways. So, Lesley has opened my eyes to a part of my inner me.

 

About Lesley Fletcher:

"My travels and experience in life have had a profound effect on my writing and my art.In each book I strive to connect on a personal level with the reader, the same way I would if we met personally.
'5 Pillars of the Gypsy' is my latest release which combines art and verse and stands as a mixture of spiritualism and emotion.Each poem tells a story. Each story is meant to awaken and inspire the inner you to add meaning to your own events in life.
Over the past three years I have managed two trips with Habitat for Humanity - Global Village; one to Tajikistan and one to Jordan. Each of these trips included short stops in Istanbul. As a result I had the privilege of learning about Islam and its parallels with Christianity along with cultural customs.
As a volunteer with Literacy Unlimited I support and encourage education as a way to break barriers too, through knowledge and understanding. The adventurous laid back spirit in me has enabled me to become very adaptable to a variety of enjoyable experiences and delight in every one of them. My biggest pleasures are my biggest motivators.
'Prom Girls: A North American Rite of Passage' is my first book. Having gained valuable experience through my first publication has provided the ground work and motivation for her upcoming books.
My second book,' All I Want for Christmas Is a Wishmas Tree', tackles the ever more present problem of families integrating into a different culture and still retaining their own.
My third book is 'Hey Angel!' (www.hey-angel.com) which is an early reader that focuses on self-esteem. It is written in rhyme and has quickly become a favourite with the very young and their parents. Young readers along with their parents are invited to the accompanying website to 'ask the Angel' a question which is then answered on the site."