Reviewed by Lorraine Currelley
Never Completely Awake
by Martina Reisz Newberry
Deerbrook Editions
Paperback: 94 pages, ISBN-13: 978-0997505153
Martina Reisz Newberry’s poetry is a gift to her readers. She’s a poets poet. Her poetry is universal in its ability to resonate with her audience. The writing is uncompromising and passionate. Her words are clothed in her experiences: rich and very human. Newberry writes with courage and a refreshing and welcoming honesty. I make no excuses for gushing over her work, it’s deserving of my every gush. You don’t read Martina Reisz Newberry, you experience her. Neither do you rush through her work, you savor every delicious poem, celebrating a truly poetic feast for the senses.
Never Completely Awake led me to other books written by Martina Reisz Newberry. I found myself wanting to learn more about this poet. I set out to locate visuals and audios of her in performance. I successfully accomplished my goal and she did not disappoint. Martina Reisz Newberry is everything I hoped for and more. Whether she’s reciting from memory or reading her poems, her voice and presentations are always comforting. She gives her audiences of readers permission to be and if not already to become their authentic selves. There is no shame in longing, need, love, anger, passion, joy, honesty and pleasure. I’m pleased to have been introduced and to have lived with this poet’s via words. Bravo, Martina Reisz Newberry!
About the reviewer: Lorraine Currelley, poet, writer, storyteller, multimedia artist, mental health and grief and bereavement counselor. She advocates for mental health and healthy aging. She’s the founder/executive director, Poets Network & Exchange, Inc., where she facilitates poetry and creative writing workshops, produces featured poetry readings, panel discussions and a scholar lecture series. She’s widely anthologized and the recipient of numerous honors. She’s the newly elected executive director for the Bronx Book Fair. She resides in New York City. https://poetsnetworkandexchange.com