Around the Corner by Eve Jeannette Blohm

AROUND THE CORNER

Authored & Published by Eve Jeannette Blohm, New York, New York. 2008. Paperback. Chapbook, 42 pages

Eve Jeannette Blohm sees the universe in a drop of water. She sees the connectedness of us all, not just human to human, but to the plants, animals, soil, and even the rocks with whom we share the globe, whether we draw breath on the other side of the planet or Around the Corner.

In the title poem, “Around the Corner,” Blohm shows her depth of vision with:

Long roads twist and wind
through the mountains.
We travel through life,
a never-ending
journey of discovery
looking around the corner.

Clouds hide the sun,
mountains and future.
We ride in a bus,
during a foggy day,
never seeing the road,
relying on faith
and bus driver.

The allegory demonstrates the life journey we all must take, from the time we’re born until we die.

She lives in New York City, but she still empathizes with creatures of the wild. Here she writes about the squirrels in Central Park who have to work hard for their living:

Empty Hands
On an early afternoon,
A squirrel climbs a tree,
Perching on a bare limb,
It responds to my husband’s call.
Animals recognize love
But can be teased too.
By the empty hand
Which tempts but does not give.
So we go through our lives
With empty hands and hearts.

In the last two lines the squirrels and humans merge. There the distinction blurs. Are we really so different from one another?

Blohm’s poetry touches me deeply, but the verse on page 18 is the one that evokes a great deal of poignancy. The final four lines are so true to the life experience.

Fleeting Memories
the sky is a clear blue
as wandering clouds bring cold

the frozen earth waits to melt
like the pond in the park

skaters move on ice gracefully
like dancers on a stage

the snowdrifts of winter
hide the sadness we feel

because we can only be
young for a short time on earth

time passes too swiftly
and our dreams are memories.

Around the Corner is a lovely production and I recommend acquiring one if possible. Contact: lavonne.taylor@sbcglobal.net for more information.