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Reader reviews of:
Covered Ground by Tony Spivey
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June 6, 2003
Reviewer: Melissa
Florida
Tony Spivey is an incredible poet. I have been reading as much of
his work as possible on the Internet for almost three years. There
has not been one; not one poem that did not make me feel his words
to the very depths of my soul.
If there can be a poet for other poets to look upon as a peer, a
writer, and an inspiration who encourages his readers to grow and
expand . . . that poet is Tony.
Tony's book Covered Ground, is amazing. I wish I had the
words to describe it much better than this. But words are not my
strength, they are Tony's.
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March 5, 2003
Reviewer: Kelly Hall
Long Beach, California
To take a walk on Covered Ground is to look through the
proverbial looking glass to find a haunting, beautiful, humorous,
passionate ride through a myriad of emotions. I laughed, I cried, I
thought, I loved.
Amazing lines popped to paint delightful portraits in my minds eye
. . .
From Once:
I once knew the sound of purple
and the taste of mercy on palms
that taught me how to speak
without eyes.
And Quantum Kisses In The Ethereal Garden
Dainty white flowers without a name
turned into love me knots
that tied me to the ground
that I might see blue in a lighter shade
surrounding the dance of your hair.
Hair of copper wisps, fingers of the breeze,
that played my face like a game.
A Steinbeck quality flows through the simple, yet profound verses of
Old Jill, Dad and Me, On Highway 43 and yes even
Toothpaste & Underwear.
Tony Spivey speaks from the heart of a generation presumably lost in
the middle, yet right on track. Direct hits resound from every
stanza, every beat of the word. Having read poetry from his students
as well, not only supports his amazing talent, but restores my faith
in the future of the art. I am proud to have my poetry alongside his
on an online poetry board.
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January 24, 2003
Reviewer: Lisa Shields
East Windsor, New Jersey
As the owner of a poetry board website, I invite submissions, and
read a LOT of poetry. You read, and cull, you comment. A lot is
written that is just dull. But I live for the moments when something
utterly breathtaking shows up. And I learned long ago that if a poem
takes my breath a way truly makes me feel, or think most likely
Mr. Spivey's name is on it. The mastery of the craftsmanship is
unmistakable. There is a "give" to Spivey's work, a softly spoken
diorama of what is. The wording is deceptively casual. Spivey draws
you in and there you stay.
This is poetry for the common man, written by an uncommon one. It is
a marvelous mosaic of eloquence, personal truth, and the
introspection of one life willing to speak the words behind the days
we have known, but rarely consider. Tony's poetry about his military
service, about friends lost in conflict and war, take us to a new
level. He gives us the dignity of those who served; reminds us
gently of those who were lost, as if the price of his own survival
was to give voice to others so they are not forgotten beyond the
granite that carries their names.
Not content to leave it at that, Spivey waltzes us into Just for Me
. . . a battleground memoir. In our smug electronic age, can we
appreciate the pathos of a final letter, written by a man who faced
his death with calm thinking last only to find the words to keep
his wife for a lifetime? Spivey takes us there. Makes us feel the
ink and the unshed tears of a hero.
He touches at love as a man humbled that it could be for him
dazzled amazed. First Kiss is a small time machine, that will
remind us of our own a small capsule of sweetness and wonderment.
Through this man's words, the world takes on new shadings. And when
done, you will not even know that you have been gently pointed to
one understanding that each day is it's own gift, and we, the
merely mortal have much to give. I warn you though. To see the world
from this man's eyes and words will make you question yourself. Tony
will make you count your blessings, as he does his own. And he will
do it with a tapestry that flows leaving you hushed before the
stained glass window of one man's soul.
So if you only buy one book of poetry, and you want it to be one you
will take down again and again a volume you will read to pieces
and someday have to replace I suggest Covered Ground by Tony
Spivey . . . maybe the first step in making poetry grand again
noble, brave, and true.
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January 17, 2003
Reviewer: Sylvia Spivey
East Dublin, Georgia
I walked through the house
out the back door
sat on the step
and cried.
All of his life was caught
for the world
to know
and feel.
The joy he had felt,
fun he had known,
love he had given,
love he had received,
sadness borne,
happiness relished.
There it all was
in black and white
page after page
with his name on the cover.
A journey he had traveled
a long and lonely trip
keeping his eyes on
the light he felt
beckoning.
There in my hands was
my son's poetry
so wonderful
just as he is.
Covered Ground it read
and I cried.
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