An Occasional Damage of Roses – Reviewed by: Jack Chambers, Pacific Book Review

On this journey we call life, one of the most difficult things to learn is that one path which is right for some may not be right for others. Each and every person must take the time at some point to ask themselves if the path they have chosen is something they chose themselves, or had chosen for them. Finding that path is a journey unto itself, and not every journey is to be understood right at the onset. Sometimes it requires self-reflection and introspection to truly understand that which has always been known to us on some level.

In author and poet James Victor Anderson’s An Occasional Damage of Roses, the author explores the journey that we all take through life through beautiful and thought-provoking poems. Each poem is meant to touch upon an aspect of the human condition, and give readers the opportunity to reflect and gather their own meaning from the author’s words. The book helps shed a light on the power of poetry, showcasing it is not in the words themselves, but in the voice of the one who shares the words and the power behind those words which gives poetry its true meaning.

The author does a wonderful job of evoking both emotion and reflection within the reader. The author’s writing style really spoke to me, as it showcased a command over the written word and yet conveyed deep emotion and somber hope through a powerful spiritual understanding, touching upon themes of Taoism which can be found throughout the poems. The poems also showcase a wealth of imagery through their words, helping to illustrated the themes and emotions the author touches upon through unique images which showcase the artistry of the poems themselves.

This is the perfect read for those who enjoy poetry, especially poems that reflect a strong spiritual, emotional, and philosophical discussion with the readers. The deep-thinking nature of the collection and the way the author’s words speak to us all on some level really made this both accessible and undeniably fascinating to readers, tapping into the raw love, hope, and pain that life often brings while also giving readers a glimpse into the beauty and heart of which humanity is capable of bringing to life.

A memorable, thought-provoking, and engaging collection of poems, author James Victor Anderson’s An Occasional Damage of Roses is a must-read poetry collection. The thing that really speaks to the reader here is how often they are compelled to revisit poems throughout the collection, as each gives them a reason to stop and think about both the complexity of the author’s words and the creativity it took to bring it all together. The passion and introspective nature of the collection will keep readers eager for more from this truly moving poet.