Customer Reviews

Tracings

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I had this book for months before I picked it up. What a stupid thing -- to put off reading this lovely little tome for so long is like putting off eating a fresh dish of tiramisu.

Carolyn Howard-Johnson is a natural talent honed to a bright polish by years of practice and exploration. "Tracings" is an example of her work at the height of her poetic expertise and passion. Poems like "Perfectly Flawed" start out with fiery word paintings and end up in a memory of childhood that moves us to our own memories -- the lovely ones scarred by reality -- but still lovely. Then there is "Earliest Remembered Sound" which also harkens back to childhood memories of World War II images, traumas and gallantry. And then there is "Mother in December" -- an ode to loss that is gradual and inevitable and all the more heartbreaking for it's seemingly endless duration.

This book is like gentle whiffs of Chanel #5 -- a perfect gift for mothers to give daughters, girlfriends to give other girlfriends, men to give lovers...poets to share with other poets.

Author/Poet Carolyn Howard-Johnson displays a different side of her talented self through an unusual look at life and feelings in "Tracings" a collection of poetry that reflects a non-traditional structure, timing, wording and even personal outlook. This poetry does not fit neatly into most poetic styling formats. She is not afraid to hang a phrase or a feeling out there bare naked for others to ponder and absorb.

Her themes are as varied and diverse as her wandering thoughts allow. She does not self censor her feelings but allows them to reflect her inner voice. Her life observations are sometimes simply "photographed in words" or emotionally "painted" with many brush strokes across the canvas of the pages. Each poem stands alone and speaks for itself. Her individual words are not what matters but the magic of how she strings them together to create this visual concept of what she is sensing and feeling or remembering is boldly articulated and leaves the reader totally in tuned with what she was trying to convey.

Carolyn is a masterful and creative writer and this small collection of her poetry certainly proves that to be true beyond any doubts! There is a fire of feminine spiritual energy burning in her writings but also a powerful and steady hand of control that gives these poems a special kind of feeling. You too will notice that these simple poems are much more than what they appear to be.

This book receives the MWSA's top book rating of FIVE STARS!

I am an author, but anyone who has seen my feeble attempts at poetry will quickly agree that I can't write poetry. Not so with Carolyn Howard-Johnson.
Carolyn has a unique ability to take the mundane things of life and turn them into words that echo with love, joy, peace, harmony until they become almost an inspirational experience.
But then you come to one of her poems that makes you laugh out loud!
I don't write poetry, but I enjoy good poetry, and Tracings presents some of the best I've read in years!

Janet Elaine Smith, author of the new Old Habits Die Hard (the 3rd Patrick and Grace Mystery) and Bank Roll (the 1st Max Stryker Mystery)

/Tracings/ written by Carolyn Howard-Johnson is a collection of poetry written from the heart. Whether you enjoy poetry or not, you will find this collection a worthwhile read. Ms. Howard-Johnson tells the story of not only her life, but of growing up in a society where it hurts to be different. A woman dedicated to teaching diversity, Ms. Howard-Johnson's writing clearly reflects who she is and how she got there.Although I've never met her, after reading this thought-provoking collection of twenty-three poems, I feel like she's an old friend. I enjoyed reading /Tracings/ and will be recommending it to my friends.
Penny Lockwood

TRACINGS by Carolyn Howard Johnson is a big treasure in a tiny package that is easily totable. Unlike most novels, poetry's pleasure is increased with many readings. TRACINGS is perfect for slipping in your purse to pull out and enjoy in spare moments. Carolyn Howard Johnson is well known for writing poetic prose and her bestselling author help manual, "Frugel", but reading TRACINGS gives you greater insight into the marvel that is Carolyn Howard Johnson.
Beverly J Scott author of RIGHTEOUS REVENGE, RUTH FEVER, and JENA'S CHOICE.

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W. Joyce White says:
Carolyn Howard-Johnson, is the author of Tracings, a wondrous little poem book of 24 pages. Even though it is little, it is written with a "mighty" big heart. As years go by it is true we are no longer immune from "unbandaged wounds." Her words not mine. As a retailer, writer, poet, and book promoter, she has led a very interesting life and her description of geography is superb. We can almost feel the Nordic rain she speaks of on our skin. Joyce Carol Oates says you discover your best poems while writing your worst prose. Most poets just call just call this using our "creative license." Carolyn intertwines reality and metaphors very expertly using her own creative license. I find myself being pulled into her poem, "Poetry. You and I touch even though we are light years apart." We all perceive each other's art differently. Her words pretty much sum up all our lives..."Tracings. Echoes. Deeds done and undone, transformed existence, loved ones here and gone."

She also wrote, "Who believes the dead don't speak?" Her loved ones are whispering through her poetry as she records what is past. She imagined her medicine cabinet as an arched tombstone with tears rolling down the mirror. ..shear my image...a last look at her face in my lenses." No, it is not with our ears we listen to the dead. It is with our senses. Sometimes I get a whiff of my mom's canned blackberries or her favorite perfume. We carry in our hearts only one constant desire, and that is to rewrite our past and bring the dead back to life. Although Carolyn and her readers may be a world apart, like her we cannot, "wash the memory or the present clean or clear." Her words. Five Stars from me!