My Magnolia Memories and Musings in Poems - A Book Review

On the last page of her second book of poems, Patricia Neely-Dorsey quotes William Faulkner, who said "To understand the world, you must first understand a place like Mississippi." After reading Neely-Dorsey's newly-published book of poems, "My Magnolia Memories and Musings in Poems," it is evident the Tupelo resident not only understands her native state, but that her poetry is indeed a labor of love. 


Beginning with the book's first section, aptly named "Southern Sights, Scenes, and Sentiments," Ms. Neely-Dorsey takes the reader on a unique journey through poems entitled "Natchez Trace," "The Delta (Black, White and Blues)", "Memphis," "Front Porch (Hospitality Headquarters)", and "The Truck Patch...Gone, But Not." And in subsequent sections, she sentimentally recalls memories that deal with childhood, church, the (neighbor) hood, and love. Through her poems, Ms. Neely-Dorsey offers the reader an insightful glimpse into southern culture, specifically Mississippi's own unique culture, one that is often misunderstood by those who have not experienced it.  Patricia Neely-Dorsey is truly an ambassador for the State of Mississippi, and through her newest book of poems, she has invited the world to experience the people, places, and ideas of "a place like Mississippi."

"Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia - A Life in Poems"

Earlier this year, I posted a review of "Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia - A Life in Poems," by Mississippi writer, Patricia Neely-Dorsey. One of Ms. Neely-Dorsey's poems, "Southern Life," invokes so many memories of my home state of Mississippi. Since the poem is one of my favorites, I decided to share it here today with my readers.

SOUTHERN LIFE

If you want a glimpse of Southern life,
Come close and walk with me;
I'll tell you all the simple things,
That you are sure to see.
You'll see mockingbirds and bumblebees,
Magnolia blossoms and dogwood trees,
Caterpillars on the step,
Wooden porches cleanly swept;
Watermelons on the vine,
Strong majestic Georgia pines;
Rocking chairs and front yard swings,
Junebugs flying on a string;
Turnip greens and hot cornbread,
Coleslaw and barbecue;
Fried okra, fried corn, fried green tomatoes,
Fried pies and pickles too.
There's ice cold tea that's syrupy sweet,
And cool, green grass beneath your feet;
Catfish nipping in the lake,
And fresh young boys on the make.
You'll see all these things
And much, much more,
In a way of life that I adore.

By Patricia Neely-Dorsey

For more about Ms. Neely-Dorsey, please visit her website at http://patricianeelydorsey.webs.com/

Froggie's Friday Book Review - "Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia - A Life in Poems"

One of my readers is Mississippian, Patricia Neely-Dorsey, a poet and an author. Last year, Ms. Neely-Dorsey published a book of poems entitled "Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia - A Life in Poems." In her book, Neely-Dorsey has used childhood memories and her own personal thoughts and dreams, to describe southern life as she lived it.

Educated in Boston, and having returned with her family to live in Tupelo, Mississippi, Neely-Dorsey became inspired to write poetry that describes the southern way of life. It is through her poems that celebrate years growing up in Mississippi that Neely-Dorsey hopes readers will be given a positive glimpse into the southern experience. Her overall intent in publishing this book of personal stories in poetic form was to "celebrate the south and all things southern." As someone who lived for a time "outside the Magnolia curtain," Neely-Dorsey also hopes that her personal accounts of life in the south will dispel the many myths that exist about her home state of Mississippi. As the author herself has acknowledged, she has taken Eudora Welty's advice to "Write about what you know about."

Ms. Neely-Dorsey's book of poems covers a variety of subject matter, often personal in nature, and has been called "a poetic love letter to the south," as well as "a poetic autobiography.

For more information about the author and her book of southern life captured in poetry, visit her website at www.patricianeelydorsey.webs.com, along with her blog found at Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia.