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Reviewed by Dr. Jordan Alexander for Readers' Favorite
Magic and Wildflowers by Alexis Tolkkinen is a collection of bite-sized wisdom-filled poems with messages that linger. Tolkkinen powerfully connects simple words and phrases to offer the reader a range of topics from what it means to be human to mental health, self-sufficiency, heartache, and love. The collection offers insightful observations, like a perspective on death that compares it to casually buying carrots or getting an A on a paper you thought you flunked. Readers will find themselves smiling at how cleverly the short nuggets shine gold, or like how being an over-analytical thinker may reveal a beautiful mind. I was inspired reading about the shore, nature, and thunder in their call-to-action for the reader to awaken and be aware of life and living.
There is a strong and independent thread that ties the entries of Magic and Wildflowers together. While the book has an occasional hint of irritation or anger, it does not let you dwell on heartache or difficulty for too long. Alexis Tolkkinen acknowledges life’s challenges and then immediately inspires you to take action and keep going. I enjoyed the juxtaposition of modern references to days gone by, like comparing a wild heart to dancing the Charleston in the rain in a 1920s newspaper. My favorite is a poem about love and Post-it notes. Each poem would make a beautiful thought-provoking greeting card. This is a perfect starter collection for anyone that has never really understood poetry. The relatable topics will be enjoyed by women readers and lovers of contemporary poetry alike.
