Love and War

By Joseph Edwards

Love and War, as paradoxical as it sounds, is a true to life mirror and compilation of the familiar yet complex journey into this one specific area of daily human experience; relationships. This book aims to bring some level of clarity through an array of poems, giving glimpses into the writer's innermost feelings, and thoughts. In several poems personal experiences are explored, and worldviews laid bare. In essence the book sheds a beam of light, helping us to form a more fulsome picture of how tightly knitted we are as humans despite our differences. The dual arrangement of the book is a play on the light and darkness found in us all, the ups and downs of life, the good and bad which we are faced with surrounding the love hate relationships between various people. The aim of the book is to better prepare all readers for various phases of their lives. So, if your relationship is going good, you will find cheer and celebrated views. However, if it is not going well, the book provides motivational, inspirational and realistic examples to provide sufficient hope and the belief that things will get better one day.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Independent Publishing
• Release date: May 19, 2022
• ISBN: 9781777485962

Joseph Edwards

About the author Joseph Edwards is a Jamaican born writer and poet residing in Canada. This is his fourth book of poems, having previously published; Coloured Views, Come Away with Me, and Moments in Jamaica. Currently, the latter is out of print and circulation. However, the other two can be found on all major platforms. His poetry has been recognized and has won him several national awards over the years. The author wants readers to feel empowered to enjoy modern poetry like never before. Moving, deep, relevant, vivid, and realistic are how his poems are best described.

Book preview

Introduction

Love is beautiful, we could spend all day just repeating this line. War is ugly, and it is unwelcomed wherever it lodges its destructive head. In these poems, the writer hopes to inspire readers by confronting in an upfront and in-depth manner both aspects of the human experience. Each title will be addressed on a personal, communal, then global context. Afterall, no matter where you are from you will understand both these terms, love, and war.

Part one of the book focuses on themes springing from the lofty ideals of love. It gives a wide view, and some pieces will point out how things sour when there is a break in a relationship. The type of love spoken of between these pages are not only romantic love, but platonic and familial love as well. This half could be considered the lighter side of the book, the more upbeat and cheerful collection.

Part two focuses on war, so you could call it the opposite of the first part. It addresses a much darker topic and much heavier subject matters. Poems here are penned around causes, divisions, personalities, pain, locations, and possible preventions or solutions. To be more direct, a good chunk of the material to be found in this section is centered around the war between Russia and Ukraine. Although you may be a world away from that Euro-Asian region, the fact remains we are all members of the big human family, so what affects one, essentially impacts all. United we stand, but divided we are bound to perish.

The book reminds that amidst all the sorrow, destruction, and waste of life, there is still lingering hope during these chaotic times. Freedom of choice will always conquer attempts at tyranny.  Consequently, the conclusion to having a happy existence in all areas of life could be condensed into one word, peace. If peace is accepted among humankind, it will go a far way in correcting our woes. So instead of war, we need peace and love. The reality remains we live