Life’s Ballet Paperback – September 30, 2020 by Charles Schlee (Author)

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Cyberwit.net (September 30, 2020)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 72 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9388319168
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-9388319164
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.36 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.17 x 8.5 inches

Review by LB Sedlacek

Schlee offers a book of poems of mostly free verse and rhyme.  The poems have a light but poignant view point.  Some of them are inspired by saints or philosophical texts. 

His opening poem is an invitation or maybe a reminder about kindness and thanks while also navigating life like a dance, in this instance a ballet.  This poem could be considered to be an introduction or tie in to the title poem which appears at the end of the book. 

This first poem is a welcoming invitation into this poet’s collection setting the stage nicely.  Like with the first few pages in a book, the first few poems in a book invite the reader in while leading the way into more. 

Schlee continues forth in the pages with poems about wishes and acorns and legacies and mothers, and monks.  He easily delves into thought provoking subjects. 

From “Life’s Ballet”:
“many are the trappings
of the lives we lead
we focus on the things
we think we need
until one day
we find them bent
or rent
or simply spent”

Schlee’s insights are thorough and complete.  There is no compromising here.  He makes the effort to superbly write what he feels and sees, and hears - well really all of the senses. 

There can be a lot of sides to a poem.  Schlee is able to dive deep or to be gentle with his words to nicely fit each one.

His writing is disciplined.  It is also pleasurable to read.  It’s almost as if he’s sharing memories, or adventures of places he has roamed.  His book has depth to it and that makes it complex, simple and flavorful all at the same time.

Schlee’s book carries a unique hue of verse.  Each poem has a purpose.  Each poem has a home.  Each poem is a moment of this poet’s certain voice. 

~LB Sedlacek is the author of several books of poetry including “Swim,” “Night Swim,” “The Poet Next Door,” “Simultaneous Submissions,” and “Words and Bones.”  Her most recent short stories collections include “Motor Addiction & The Renovator” and “The Jackalope Committee & Other Short Stories.”