Poetry is not for everyone but if ever there was a poetry book to recommend it is this one.  Ra Avis is one phenomenal writer that I have been in awe of for quite a while.  I don’t really recall the first time I read her blog Rarasaur but I do know that her words always touch my heart.  Her latest book, Dinosaur-Hearted, is no exception.  She has gleaned some of her best writing from the past five years and created a book that is worthy of gracing any coffee table around.

Ra’s words are so honest and raw at times that it is difficult to imagine how she can expose so much of herself.  But she does. Time and time again and this book is filled with compassion and love and offers strength in so many ways.

One of the things I love about this compilation is the little “signs” of encouragement that are sprinkled through out the book.

Some selections are short while others are longer because there is just more to say about the matter she is writing about.  

Ra includes several handwritten poems in the book as well as a lot of stars and cute little short poems and words in the back of the book.  I love the handwritten parts -they add just one more piece of her. 

Ra also authored the book Sack Nasty: Prison Poetry  after her incarceration.  If you would like to read my blog post on that book click here. This book has a somewhat different tone from that book and rightfully so.  Ra continues to show her love and compassion and she is one who inspires and loves without measure.  I am so grateful to her for allowing me to share some of her words and pictures from her book here.  She is generous without a fault.

My review:

Ra Avis is an incredibly talented and wondrous woman and her latest book of poetry is indescribably delicious. In her gentle and always honest words she addresses the things that life is made of. All of the hurts and joys, setbacks and triumphs, joys and sadnesses are laid out for her readers to explore.
Each selection in Dinosaur-Hearted is a story in its own right and I savored each poem and took my time working through the book so that I could just enjoy each one for the wonderful work that it is.

What a gift Ra Avis has for touching the human soul by sharing hers so openly.

One of the things that I love most about the book are the inspirational / motivational sayings that are sprinkled throughout the book. They touched my heart and I think that is the goal.

If you need a book that moves and encourages you this is it. It would make a great gift book for any occasion and I am so happy that Ra followed up her prison poetry book Sack Nasty with this one. Both are well thought out and compiled so the reader has the best experience possible when delving into them. Don’t miss this one. It’s definitely a winner.

Buy a copy from your local bookstore or on Amazon by clicking here.

Make sure to follow Ra on her blog at Rarasaur.

Do you love poetry?  Tell me what your favorite poem is in the comments and remember to Comment for a Cause for Bread of Life.