‘My Photos of Sicily’ by Allan Lake:

• Port Adelaide, South Australia: Picaro Press , 2019 .

  ISBN: 9781760418373

  Series:Picaro Poets Port Adelaide : Picaro Press , 2015- series - publisher poetry

This book is an anthology of poems, which holds a unique to itself presence. Allan has penned the experience of a tourist on his visit to the lovely and beautiful Mediterranean city of Sicily. These poems encapsulate a fantastic visualisation as they unfold the stories of this ancient city. The words which the author has woven not only capture the distinct and detailed features of the city but they also speak of the heart of a tourist, who is on search of rejuvenation and happiness foreign, yet own. For example, in the poem ‘Attractions ‘, Allan, honestly makes one realise the difference of natural and man-made illuminations as he writes:

….vandalised

attractions some think more romantic

by night, illuminated not by moon

but, more dependable, spotlights.

Little cloud, illuminated by sun,

changes shape as it ages…

In the poem titled ‘Temple’, Allan profoundly depicts the ruins and remains of a temple there, in a such an awe manner that, it resonates the blend of a happening past and glimmers the hope of good future, he writes:

The temple of Diana, high on that hill,

The Rock, above Cefalu, lies, of course,

in ruins. A pilgrim, I sought her there,

felt empty….. The goddess lives on, embraces

what she chooses.

All in all, this book was a visual treat for me as I read about the authors anecdotes and observations as a tourist, I would recommend this book to all those enthusiasts who love to know and experience the taste, fame, fire and flavours of new places and people.

-By Gouri Sattigeri