author
bullet points
ISBN-13: 978-0-9916534-9-2 ebook​
a collection of thoughts
for those who battle, grand and small
for those who know, it's none or all
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Poetry. It encourages us to read between the lines as we sight along them. This makes it difficult to assign a solid shape to the thoughts collected here.
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To be delightfully vague....
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This book is about surviving-loving, living, fighting, forgiving-and thriving.
Whatever it takes.
a superb gift
Bullet Points by Clarissa Clarke is, without doubt, one of the most unusual collections of poetry I have ever come across and one of the most captivating. The freestyle verses are all short, so “bullet points” describes them perfectly. The closest to a “title poem”, and none of them have traditional titles except in the table of contents, is “bite the bullet, bite the bullet, bite the bullet”; a repeated command that drives the reader onward. The book description reads “a collection of thoughts for those who battle, grand and small for those who know, it’s none at all”. Each poem is encapsulated within a picture, some of them almost plain, leaving the words to express the meaning alone, whilst others illustrate it.
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In this collection of freestyle poetry, a few of the lines do rhyme, if only by repetition, as in “gentle you soothe you forgive you”. The final line and the subject chosen for the artwork can be found about two-thirds of the way through Bullet Points; there is nothing so pedestrian and intrusive as page numbers. My personal favorite reads “a flower for you a reminder to bloom forget not”, but you must look to see which flower Clarissa Clarke has chosen because it isn’t obvious. Nothing about Bullet Points is obvious. There is a romantic thread of love and loss or fear of loss, but it’s broken frequently by other observations from twilight to twilight**. Bullet Points by Clarissa Clarke is a “must-have” for any poetry lover and a superb gift likely to convert a friend previously disinterested in any form of verse.
-Sarah Stuart for Readers’ Favorite
love bites
ISBN-13: 978-1-7352235-0-6 ebook​
a collection of thoughts
for those who stretch tentative hands
for those who stand wherever they land
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Poetry. It can wash over you, quick and clean. It can surround you, letting you sink and swim and soak until you are ready to surface. The thoughts collected here move like the ocean and are difficult to capture in a box.
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To be purposefully vague....
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This book is about loving-bending, breaking, burning, budding-and creating.
Whatever it takes.
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Both collections of poetry were distinguished with first place awards in the 2020 Royal Dragonfly Book Awards Contest. Bullet Points received first place in the Military category. Love Bites received first place in the Poetry category. Both books are available in ebook format from your favorite retailer.
The Man in the Moon: And Other Tall Tales
ISBN-13: 978-1-7352235-1-3 ebook​
Singing of balance, Clarissa Clarke's third volume of poetry weaves legend and ecology, entertainment and hope. It builds fires, strokes senses, and showcases the infinite possibilities open to us.
This contemporary collection of tales is a stunning exploration of the complex connections between humanity and nature. Perfect for gifting - and rereading.
both enchanting and thought-provoking
Clarissa Clarke’s The Man in the Moon and Other Tall Tales is a captivating journey through poetry that intertwines legend with the natural world in a way that feels both fresh and timeless. Each tale within this collection brings the reader closer to the delicate balance between humanity and nature, exploring the ways in which our lives are deeply connected to the earth around us. Clarke's poems sing with a sense of wonder, painting vivid images that dance in the mind long after the book is closed. Whether she’s weaving a tale of ancient myth or reflecting on the simple beauty of the natural world, Clarke’s words invite you to pause and reflect, drawing you into a world where the ordinary becomes extraordinary.
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The real magic of Clarke’s writing lies in her ability to create a mood that is both enchanting and thought-provoking. Each poem unfolds at a pace that allows the reader to fully immerse themselves in the experience, feeling every emotion and visualizing every scene with clarity. The events in the poems are subtle but powerful, often leaving a lingering sense of awe. Clarke’s characters, whether human or nature itself, are brought to life with a deft touch, making them feel both familiar and mysterious. The themes of balance, ecology, and the infinite possibilities of life are woven throughout the collection, creating a tapestry of ideas that is both inspiring and humbling. I found myself lost in the words, reading the entire collection in one sitting, unable to tear myself away from Clarke’s mesmerizing prose. The Man in the Moon is a stunning exploration of the connections between humanity and nature, and Clarissa Clarke’s poetic voice is one that deserves to be heard and cherished.
- Foram Vyas for Readers' Favorite