Indeed, there is much to fill our hearts with grief, post-covid: two wars, in Ukraine and the Middle East; a virus which just won't go away; people whose lives have been shattered by illness, politics and loneliness. These are the "thorns" of our existence, and they have pierced the hearts of humanity. The greatness of any garden is as weeds take over and plants die, what grows in its place is often new, beautiful and different. These are the "trellises" which continue to bloom and grow: friends; family; the connections which ultimately bind us to this world. TRELLISES AND THORNS does a superb job of exploring the grief and elegance in this world, both of which are inextricably bound."TRELLISES AND THORNS delves into the human spirit's capacity to bloom amidst adversity. With each delicately crafted verse, there is a sense of urgency--to listen closely and empathize with what happens in the garden of life, love and loss, where grief and resilience entangle. As the poems in this collection dance between light and shadow, the poet calls attention to the anguish of 'broken homes destroyed by bombs' while also capturing the strength of love's tender caress 'creating dreams with words the bones of blessings' to invite readers on an emotional and introspective journey. These poems resonate with the reader long after the final verse is read to serve as a reminder from the poet that even in the seasons of thorns 'joy blossoms and it beams so blessed in summer.'" --Kerryanne Bell"Pamela Laskin's poems are like plants and seeds. These are the seeds of words that contain the joys and anxieties of the modern world: Covid; the war in Ukraine and in the Middle East. The poet is looking for a language to explain to herself and the readers the complexity of our time. In her private poetic garden trellises, that support the weight of plants, become important. Contemplation and participation--this is what the poetic air of Laskin's garden sounds like. It remains up to us to hear her voice and understand what is being said." --Vasyl MakhnoPoetry.
