In a sense, John Morgan Mullen’s STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART: Our World in Poetry book is best described as a memoir that is communicated in a non-traditional form. And it is, at heart, a love story: Mullen dedicates the book to his wife, Jill, who features regularly throughout the collection of poems. The author confides that their relationship sprang from “love at first sight.” Mullen shares the vicissitudes of their marriage – spanning upward of half a century – and family life, rendering the book deeply personal yet universal. At times the reader’s experience is a little like that of a chaperone on the family’s journey. Mullen’s poems tackle the gamut of issues that characterize any long-term bond: change (he describes it as “scary” and filled with “doubt, anxiety and fear”), grief (the struggle to “find the light” following the death of their grandson and later the death of Jill), retirement, and the celebrating of all manner of special occasions. Beyond the domestic intimacy, Mullen also shares his wider political ponderings and despair at “illogical actions against humanity.” Mullen’s public and private worlds intersect in his verse, as in anyone’s life. This renders the content immensely relatable.
STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART certainly has its strengths. First of all, its content is completely authentic. Having been compiled over a significant period of time, the subject matter and emotion are indeed “straight from the heart” – the sincerity is absolute. A sense of catharsis oozes from each page. A collection of photographs at the end of the book complements the text and enhances engagement. And the poetic medium sprinkles a modicum of the unusual into the mix. The choice of poetry over prose is an interesting one and is perhaps in keeping with the content: a poetic marriage described in a poetic format seems only fitting. Nevertheless, the book is not without its flaws. The poetry itself is simple and accessible, which is, of course, a positive – except that the verse does not always scan fluently. The rhythm can come across as a little choppy and awkward, while the simplicity of the verse means that this book is unlikely to appeal to poetry aficionados. Furthermore, typos and technical inaccuracies litter the exposition – a round of thorough proofreading and editing would enhance readers’ appreciation.
STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART by John Morgan Mullen is a sprawling chronicle in uncomplicated poetry that tracks the life span of a happy marriage and tear-jerking insights into the intimacies of family life.
~Amanda Ellison for IndieReader