Customer Reviews

The Pond at Cape May Point

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Fred Caruso and Burt Kimmelman are two friends who vacation with their families at Cape May Point. Their collaboration on this book, whether it was their intent or not, is a visual and poetic gift to the world. Through his skill with words, Kimmelman blesses readers with tranquil moments, soothing visions, quiet wonders. Caruso's impressionistic whispers speak of wind, grass, trees, water, and sky. Together, they've created a placid oasis where readers can escape the chaos of our modern world.

The very simplicity of Kimmelman's poems is reminiscent of ancient Haiku masters. "Afternoon Haze" transports readers to this quiet moment in time:

Sky a single color --
and below, the trees thick

across water and sun --

shoots of bramble springing
up against the mud shore.

Kimmelman doesn't need a surfeit of words to share his peaceful moments. "Morning Pond" calms and soothes in three lines:

Circles in
the still shine --
wings overhead.

Existing around us, everywhere, are primordial miracles. All we have to do is look and we will find "Something" to awe and inspire us:

The slate rock takes in sunlight
in an endless darkness but
for a white cut line across
its base. Something will grow there.

Hummingbirds, swans, sparrows, geese, and egrets co-exist here with humans and trees, sunshine and stars, storms and squalls. Each variation of light and shadow impacts the Cape May existence. Caruso and Kimmelman have captured this experience beautifully in word and watercolor. For lovers of poetry and art, this book is highly recommended.

Kimmelman and Caruso together have wrought a lyrical splendor. Kimmelman's deft poems - their lightness, their space, their languid-ness - beautifully match Caruso's evocative watercolors. A joy to read and a joy to behold. They have created a gift for the world.