I can do anything my destiny is clear I can almost touch it, success is very near.

I loved the title of her book just because each one of us spend most of our time by living in the past.  The good and the bad memories kinda give breather to our life.  Contrastingly, she has coupled with Tomorrow’s Song, “Better to hear dark notes in the crescendo of a full moment and taste the salt of tears than live in yesterday replaying an album of worn-out dreams”.  

Her experience of writing poetry is so well expressed in her Faith is the Substance, “A poem stretches within me like California grasps for Mexico unable to make the connection until its lines multiply like telephone poles, punctuate the atmosphere the way organizations shape chaos using parliamentary procedures”.  These lines are so relatable to me as well, being an Author myself.  A typical way of life of Poets/Writers which I truly appreciate as I went through The Visit, “You and I are attracted, still to unbridled hair that needs taming and critique writers’ first drafts that emerge like wildflowers.  We are drawn to the beauty of wild abandon and casual disorder”.   I myself give a damn to my hair; most of the time they are disheveled because I like it that way.  It gives me a feel that I am a Writer 

Intercessory Prayer, “I talk to Him using scriptures and jargon that pour from me like rain until the climate changes the night cools enough for me to rise up in the sweet voltaic air with the revelation tomorrow will come and go”.  I am in complete agreement with your words and I also realize the fact that prayers have no particular order.  

Her positive approach towards life is much evident in her poem, Before My Eyes where she writes, “I can do anything my destiny is clear I can almost touch it, success is very near.  I’ve got to move forward push away the fear. The dreams on my side, promising years”. 

So far the word “ambition” to me meant goals, achievements, success and money.  Reading her poetry on Ambition was an unique experience as she wrote, “Just once I would love to see a calm vacuum stretching before me like the gaping smiles of children, waiting for teeth!”  

You are a Good Man Charlie Brown, “According to statistics this letter represents seven hundreds of your loyal fans and I’d like to suggest you show it to those who manage your career.  Besides, Charlie Brown, just between us, you remind me of myself and I’d hate to believe Nice Guys finish last”.  Her message to Charlie through her writing is awesome, and had he really read it, I think, Charlie surely would have shown interest in meeting Marilyn for her encouraging words for him.  She very well has expressed pride and encouragement in Remembering, “I remember you Redd Foxx when you couldn’t get a job at a hot strip joint off Seventh and Burlington.  I see you on TV, remember when you couldn’t cross the white line and wonder if this story would make you laugh and cry”.

Farewell to Louis Armstrong, “You weren’t just a man, you were all men rolled in to one, humanity at its best”.  This is one of your best line. 

You Touched My Life, “Upon my pane, I see your face, no other friend can take your place. Lightening has struck since we are apart, the storm does rage within my heart” and in her Here to Stay, “You touched my life, you are here to stay within my soul day after day to ease the pain to bring back hope when faced with rain” are some lines which have left me touched.  I can very much feel the kind of love she has expressed for her friend and lover. 

Woman, Eighty, Stranded in Desert Dies, “No, I wouldn’t want to go that way, bogged down in deep sand one-half mile off the crossroads”.  Fear of death seems very prominent in these lines though she narrates an incident, she doesn’t want to face this kind of ordeal. 

The Painting, “Confronting an empty canvas stretched across my mind like rawhide, I mix the colors of words with careful appreciation until they swell like a peacock overjoyed at its own beauty, so rapturous it explodes before the last strut of the brush, Dryer than weed I tumble in the flapping wind”.  My bestie, Vandana who is an Artist I am sure, she will relate to your words penned so aptly. 

Marilyn, I loved your writing so vividly on your childhood memories.  My First Memory, “Red balloons on my second birthday, Grandpa hugged me and said, Stay a good girl, or I’ll never live to see you grow up.  He was right”. My Father was a Bear Hunter, “My aunt laughed when he mentioned the bear, the truth is when I looked at my father I saw a man who killed bears.  His hands were big his face was gaunt a look of burnished hair feel over his left eye.  I could picture him strangling a bear. I helped him in my heart”. Transformation, “Molly with her pert clothes and jeweled sweaters now dances before the LORD, tambourines pulsating, more alive than anyone ever saw her”.

God Bless Dirty Old Men, “I finally learned to side-step his reach, and he tried to hold back the enveloping night with a wink”. Experience as a nurse”.  Some of the experiences of being a woman expressed so very well. 

This book is full of Marilyn’s memories she has treasured so far.  The kind of storytelling in this book seemed very unique, interesting and so full of life.  I truly enjoyed reading this book, and I am sure, the Readers to will.  

Marilyn, hope you come up soon with your next edition and we will look forward to again see your life through your vivid memories, or a book on your choicest topics.  Wish you all the very best.  May all luck, fame and recognition be showered unto you by all the Readers who will read it.

Regards, 

Shubhaangi Kundalkar

Author – In Search of Life