Liquid Prayer and Other Poems

What is a kaleidoscope? In the first poem in this book, Butterfly Thomas defines it as something that spans the spectrum from despair to hope. In this, her third collection of poetry, she invites you into an equally mesmerizing and ever-shifting world of emotions.

In "Broken II," she says: "I know the burden of dreams in flames / I know not okay goes by different names."

"Liquid Prayer," the title poem, is a tearful questioning of God: "Do you hear? Are you there?"

"Love is Blind" is a powerful commentary on disability as a too-frequent hindrance to romance.

"Samson and Delilah" presents a surprising and intriguing image of feminine strength and rebellion: "Me cutting my hair / Is a new kind of strong."

"Yonely" is the first of several erotic poems, and "Partner Prayer" is a brilliant summary of different stages of connection: intellectual compatibility, affection, intimacy, the companionship of travel, and then the commitment of marriage.

As in her previous books of poetry, Ms. Thomas' song-like rhythms, unusual rhymes, and sometimes highly original words are here to delight us, while the raw emotions she displays for us tumble our own like the colorful chips in a kaleidoscope: round and about, down and then up, from confusion to order.