Point of Reference
by
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Iniquity
Despite scorn and hostility by lesser
Breeds, our people shall endure:
To maintain our blessed line,
To achieve a nation white and pure.
Full Circle
Threats of reform school
I remember to this day,
And the many prayers
To a silent, distant god
So not to be sent away.
Allegiance
Though battered in body and
Spirit she stands by her man,
A disconcerting loyalty
We fail to understand.
Castaway
Rejection cuts like scalpel
And proves difficult to brave;
Sadly, a loss and emptiness
He must carry to the grave.
Lives on the Edge
A troublesome mass
Grows within her womb,
A woman’s lonely dilemma:
Whether to carry through,
Or consent to its doom.
Dawn’s Early Light
Victim of downward path that
Endangered spirit and soul,
She fell—dispatched—finality
Expressed by single bullet hole.
Past Light
Fleeting memories—
As recall declines, flickers and
Dims, and fails to rally back;
A lifetime of loves, regrets and
Achievements all fade to black.
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About the Book
US Review of Books, February 2014
RECOMMENDED by the USR
“…(Few) compilations are as thorough and encompassing as Point of Reference. Seals…most intriguing poems are those where he digs deeper on topics that humanity is so afraid to look in the eye….Seals never ceases to impress with his understanding and utilization of rhythm and rhyme. Poems such as "Heartstring" deliver an almost musical feel....Overall, Seals poetry is infused with vivid imagery….Without a doubt, this is a must read that will likely be a source for healthy discussions in society.” [complete text]
Reviewed by Mihir Shah
ForeWord Reviews, June 2013
Five Stars (out of Five)
"...Point of
Reference, is like taking a peak into someone’s diary. These lyrical poems offer the reader thought-provoking metaphors
about the realities of the world, from a brief encounter with a robin to tough topics like abortion and assault....The diverse
points of view and confessional voices provide new lenses with which to see the world....The poems encourage the reader to
take a step back from familiar situations in order to see from a new angle and react against the status
quo." [complete text]
Lisa Bower
"Some of the poems are very insightful and make you delve into the topic questioning your own beliefs. Others are very dark and I felt very uneasy reading them as if I was looking into someone’s soul and their deepest, darkest secrets."
Bobbie Lutz
Dover, Delaware
"Poetry is a metaphor for life and humans have worked to reflect our lives in poetry the way other craftsman have left their marks on the world in stone or marble. The effect of poetry as art is similar, and as profound, and often as lasting and durable in its own form.
In his latest collection of poetry, Mr. Seals has gathered ideas as diverse as can be conceived, but their disparity holds common the art of humanity. Images of cows in pasture share pages with grappling with a father’s death and the author’s thoughts on extremist ideals.
It is obvious from the beginning through the end that Mr. Seals wishes to provoke thoughts on tough topics and hold a mirror to the ideals we sometimes hold dear. Many of the pieces he has chosen for the collection tackle topics that we as a community often deal with and even dwell on, but topics we rarely choose for polite discussion. These issues are dealt with in digestible parts that help us quantify and understand our own emotions.
One’s decision to have an abortion, or dealing with domestic abuse in a religion that condemns divorce are not debates we often choose to have, but issues that require thought and consideration nonetheless. Good poetry succeeds when it exposes life’s truths in a way that makes us re-examine our beliefs and re-consider the viewpoints. Mr. Seals succeeds in
squaring the righteous and moral with his sparse prose and lays bare many emotionally fraught issues."
Amanda MacDonnell
Yorktown, Virginia
About the Author
A resident of central Delaware, the author currently serves as an IT system administrator for county government in neighboring Queen Anne’s County, Maryland. When not writing or indulging his passion for flight or scuba diving, he pursued his goal of continuing education graduating from the Community College of the Air Force, Wesley College and Wilmington University, earning a Master’s degree in education. A native of Westerville, Ohio, he served twenty-four years in the United States Air Force—initially in the field of aircraft maintenance, then later as an air traffic controller for nineteen years.