Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at 8:26pm
On a rainy, Summer's eve, I curled up on my comfy couch with a new book and a tall glass of raspberry iced tea. The title of the book was "Frozen Stare: The Childhood of a Young Poet," by Oneal Walters and published in 2010 by The Age Begins Books.
At first glance, Mr. Walters' book appears to be a nice collection of poety based on his childhood. But, once his readers get past the Table of Contents, they will be pleasantly surprised to see a photograph of Mr. Walters posing in front of a doorway. And all of a sudden, Mr. Walters becomes a real person, not just an author, but a nice, clean-cut, handsome young man who wants to share his memories and photographs with his future readers. How wonderfully creative. Poetic pictures tell a true story.
Mr. Walters takes the reader on a poetic and visual journey to where he was born and raised in Canada; talking about his neighbors, friendships, family, senior citizens, values, poverty and lack of inspiration causing people to never see a future down the road. This leads the reader to a spectacular, heartfelt, emotional poem called "All Alone". In "All Alone", a young Oneal Walters, became what is usually referred to as a "latch key" child. No one is home at 3 p.m. to greet him until much later in the afternoon. So, young Oneal Walters must always remember to carry his housekey with him and allow no strangers in the house. Left to fend for himself, he hides under the covers of his bed and pretends to be dead.
But have no fear, Mr. Walters does have happy memories of playing tag with his friends, running in the snow and dreaming of greatness!!! The reader gets to walk in young Oneal's shoes, feel his joy and pain, his sense of pride, his need to be loved/accepted, and his desire to enrich his life with education. This is displayed by pictures of his Junior High School and York University.
Mr. Walters beckons to the reader to grow up with him, watch him progress to a young man, to discover young ladies, and dream of his own future. He could be anyone's son.....yours or mine!!! Think about that and pray for Mr Walters to find his niche in life.
Every parent needs to buy this book because each poem and picture tells a real story.
Every young man needs to buy this book because it will lead him in the right direction.
Every library should have this book in its catalog. '
It was an honor to review this very well written book, I recommend it highly. I proudly give it. Five Gold Stars!!!!
My name is Irene Brodsky, Faculty Member of Brooklyn College City University of New York
Teacher of Philosophy - Adult Education Program
Author of "Poetry Unplugged" & "The Adventures of Silly Kitty, Princess Jasmine & First Puppy"