Whistle One: Poems

WHISTLE ONE: POEMS by Shania Kohn Brown is a powerful book of poems. Brown takes a simple thing like a whistle and turns it into an over-encompassing symbol about life, suffering, pain, and loss. Every human being understands what a whistle is. There is practically no one who has not heard or seen a whistle. And every human being has suffered and understands what loss is. Thus, Brown’s WHISTLE ONE: POEMS is particularly powerful; readers can relate to the symbol and the themes being discussed in poetic verses. This collection of poems will be particularly therapeutic for those who have suffered trauma, whether it is of domestic abuse or great loss of a loved one. Brown’s poems invoke empathy and vicarious sentiment. The reader will be deeply impressed by the content of the poems and their power to move human emotions. These poems are particularly good for reading with friends who have suffered trauma or loss. They can provide a good forum to talk about difficult memories and experiences. In dealing with hardship and difficulties, Brown points toward the hope of human potential.There is an underlying celebration of the human ability to overcome adversity against all odds. Some have described Brown’s poems as modern feminist.
Brown’s poems do celebrate triumph in adversity and the strength of the inner power to survive and thrive. Even in cries of pain, there is resident strength of character and progressive thinking. Certainly, Brown’s poems will give much to reflect upon.