Review: Maybe Blue by Melanie Cole

Maybe Blue is a powerful collection of poetry, but how exactly do I feel about it? Read on to find out.

Hi everyone! A disclaimer before we dive into this review: A little while ago I was experimenting with the idea of offering expedited book reviews. What this means is authors could pay to have the book jump to the front of my review queue. I even set up a ko-fi page for it, but eventually decided to change my mind.

However I forgot to take down the page, and

Melanie Cole

managed to snag one. After some discussion, I ultimately decided to honor the expedition, and I’m grateful she felt compelled to sign up. But please know going into this that no bias went into this review— unless you count the fact that I just generally love poetry.

I’m also undecided on whether I want to start offering expedited reviews again or not. Maybe, but I’m just not sure yet. So probably don’t expect to see one of these types again for a while. Anyway, let’s get into the gritty of what this review is, starting with the synopsis for Maybe Blue.

//maybe blue explores the small fragilities of life. The words unspoken, the silence in between musical notes. Fifteen poems compose a chapbook that is a quiet meditation on life, seen from the outside.

Sound intriguing? Let’s dive into the full front of how I feel about this poetry collection!

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Structure, in my eyes, is what sets the tone for the feel and over all message of the poem. It also aids in the uniqueness of each piece— tenderly crafting the experience you have as you read.

As I was reading through Maybe Blue for the first time, I didn’t take much note of this aspect. However, upon re-reading (which poetry often necessitates), I began to appreciate further what Melanie accomplishes with this.

There is so much care put into how the poems are formatted, with no two poems feeling alike. Melanie is unafraid to switch things up, toying with lines and stanzas… anything that aids in conveying the message the piece requires. I could go on, but instead, let me present you with this excerpt:

God Is The Shape Of Floodwater

Did it start as a
t
r
i
c
k
l
e,
a s-t-r-e-a-m, or a R U S H?

God is the shape of floodwater.
Touching everything in His path.
Rolling down the streets and squeezing
into homes and forcing us to our
rooftops, closer to the sky, closer
to prayer, closer to Him.

Do you see what I mean? That is just one such compelling example of Melanie’s use of structure to push her writing forward. And, I have to say it, I think it’s beautiful.

My score for this section: 5/5

In choosing a theme, a writer decides what kind of impact they’d like to leave on their readers. Some focus on sad, and others want to convey the impact recalled from their own experiences. And many pull a variety of themes and elements to craft the story they wish to tell.

Melanie’s work contains a few different themes, but none is more adamant than her spirituality. With a Christian focus, Melanie often focuses on her religion and faith, and what it means to her.

I’m not Christian, so I often find myself approaching such subject matter carefully. Still, I think the way Melanie approaches it is beautifully done. And I know there are some reading this who’ll appreciate it more than I.

The poem I showed off earlier is an excellent example of spirituality’s role as such a prominent theme. So, with that in mind, let’s get to the next section.

My thoughts here? 4/5

I don’t know often I say it, but writing is one of the most important parts of any piece— whether it be a poem, short story, or essay. Your writing is crucial to everything you wish to convey. But everything else is crucial, too. It’s all interwoven, and each bit plays a part in the beautiful tapestry we all hope to create.

Melanie’s writing, I’d say, knocks it out of the park. It brings me back to the phrase I used earlier, each piece is “tenderly crafted.” And if you read through the excerpt provide earlier, I’d imagine you’d say the same. But one example isn’t enough here, so it’s time for another one:

Fence

Peering over the other side of the fence
I see the before of my mind,
street-lit, humid-synapses firing
on all correct cylinders.
Twilight and fireflies dancing in memory
now fading, my hands falling delicate
as they grip the top of the pickets.

On this side, the after, is the smell of
sodden wet pavement and moths still
gathered ‘round a broken street lamp
(lost)
looking for a shy moon to guide them.
But this is not night, this is black;
a brain confused, wandering in circles,
tasting cherries, windfallen and sour from
an expired tree. Thoughts like an elevator
or perhaps a tennis ball-synapses
firing in misdirections.

My only wish is that I knew how to climb fences.

I also liked the illustration of a moth Melanie included for this piece, giving a visual to look at. Though one might argue it’s unnecessary, given how vivid her use of imagery is in her writing.

I give this section a… 5/5

Language ties in closely with writing. After all, how does one communicate their message in intriguing ways. Is their language plain and simple, lacking the complexity which requires room for thought?

Or do they leave you coming back to the material for seconds? Trying to grasp at the hidden nuances; secrets intrinsically placed just out of reach? What is the balance of one’s use of language, and the overall readability?

Melanie manages to not only walk that tight-rope, but also pull herself up with it. I mentioned before I had to read this collection more than once, and it’s true!

Every single piece is beautifully devised with multiple reads, and her use of intriguing language— like allegories and imagery— never overstays its welcome. Each line, or little detail, has something to offer to the whole experience. It’s really hard not to find endearing.

Like this little example, here:

By and By

Birds on the wire
have no care for
hot, tarred shingles,
nor waning, crooked
faith when salvation

comes by the way of
rotors or motors.

They sing.
They fly, hallelujah,
by and by,
They fly away.

It has an intense feel to its imagery, but ultimately creates a feeling of resonance in its allegory. When life comes to shove, there’s a communal feeling in spiritual belief that many share— and moving forward despite the dangers.

A rating huh? 5/5 sound good?

There’s a lot of depth to Melanie’s writing, and you can feel it every step of the way. With beautiful use of language and structure, Maybe Blue is a collection worth reading through multiple times. And while it’s not the collection’s only theme, spirituality plays a huge role— crafting something relatable for those who share in Melanie’s religious beliefs, without necessarily alienating others.

My overall score? 4.8/5