Have you ever considered the Divine as being a feminine entity? One that embodies all that is good and beautiful in you and in the world around you? Have you observed how you fit into this world and how those around you fit as well? It’s more than just “you” and “me”; it’s “us” and the spiritual wholeness of the universe in which we are only a mere dot, a mere speck on the planet like the stars are twinkling specks in the night sky. Do you feel the world spiralling around you, sometimes out of control? “At times we are like cars/ hurtling down the freeway/ heading toward nothing/ forever forgetting/ what we seek cannot/ be found beyond the/ perimeter of our own hearts.” Perhaps all we need is the confidence, inner sanctity, and power to be nothing more than just ourselves, each image we encounter, “uncovering deeper secrets of self-discovery as the words wrap you in a blanket of light and carry you along from YOU to ME to US.” Profound thoughts of wisdom abound as we allow our inner selves to take flight through the power of the written word, every word spoken (or written) a classic love letter to ourselves.

Shannon Crossman’s book, Infinite Sea of Stars, is a collection of her poetry intended to open the heart and wake the inner Divine, the feminine Divine. Free verse poems express deep thoughts of wisdom and love, digging deeper into the inner essence of what it means to be “you,” “me,” and “us.” The poet uses powerful metaphors and similes, touching on the senses: metaphors of sound, and sight, as well as the inner essence of thought and divine feelings. The book is divided into three parts, each part speaking of a significant part of what defines us: Part One – YOU – the divine is calling; Part Two – ME – learning to dance with the universe; and Part Three – US – everything is one. The poet has studied and meditated, created her own aura of the inner self, and acceptance of the spiritual essence of what it means to be alive. Like others before her, spiritual gurus and poets, Hafiz, Rumi, Chelan Harkin, and Adyashanti, this collection will have readers reflecting on their own inner sanctity of love, life, loss, pain and sorrow and all the feelings that lead us to the greater understanding and appreciation of ourselves within the grand scheme of the universe. Deeply powerful words and thoughts.

Infinite Sea of Stars: Poetry to Open the Heart and Wake the Inner Divine is the first complete poetry collection from Shannon Crossman. It is a book of modern poetry that explores the harmony between the self and the divine. The poet encourages readers to connect to their spiritual side through this collection. She especially urges readers stuck in the dark part of life to embrace the light of the divine. She calls this divine being her Beloved. For the poet, this divine entity is her lover, her friend, and her guide. She expresses her gratitude to her Beloved in this collection and helps the reader cross the bridge to their higher self. The poems are for herself, her Beloved, and her readers.

Infinite Sea of Stars by Shannon Crossman is a beautiful collection that gently leads the reader into self-reflection. I like the concept of a gentle omnipresent being that the poet evokes. It adds a fresh perspective to the age-old topic of divinity. This mystical collection of poetry is both classic and modern at the same time. Its sublime imagery captures the ethos of the classical poems, while the themes explored by the poet are contemporary in their concern. This collection deals with issues like femininity, sexuality, and freedom. It expresses these themes in a coherent yet tender manner. The format is engaging and I admired the concise language and how, despite its simplicity, the poet expresses complex ideas brilliantly. Both knowledgeable readers and novices can thoroughly enjoy this poetry. I recommend it to readers who want to appreciate a beautiful book of poetry, especially those going through hard times and feeling disconnected from themselves. This will guide readers to the divine in their being.