Lullabies

A series of short poems can ignite the senses, especially when they focus on love, lost loves, loves that never connected, and the dream of falling in love.  All of this and more are contained in Lang Leav’s book of poems titled Lullabies.  Her short stanzas of meaning touch the heart (literally!).  I can see how the RA who suggested it re-reads the book often.  The book is broken into three sections, Duet, Interlude, and Finale.  In the introduction she notes, “I always thought poems were a little like spells … with an almost hypnotic effect.  This combined with love, becomes ever more potent and intoxicating…. What greater magic is there than love?”  Truer words never spoken!  In her poem Keys, she notes the following discussion between two people who certainly are in the infancy stage of love, developing love…  “hearts don’t have locks, she said…… some do, he replied.  There are people who give away the key to theirs for safekeeping.  Others are more mistrustful and give out several keys, just in case.  Then there are those who have misplaced them but never cared to look.  What about your heart, she asked.  He smiled.  Your words are the key to mine, he replied.  Never forget your words.”  A brilliant early phase of the art of finding the right lover.  At times Leav appears to be giving advice, such as the poem, a cautionary tale, which has two lines: “There is a girl who never returns her library books.  Don’t give her your heart --- it is unlikely you will ever see it again.” And Forewarned (advice about a boy): “If a boy ever says, you remind me of someone – don’t fall in love with him.  You will never be anything more than second best.”   And other times she is looking for advice on how to find a heart full of love.  She weaves emotions with language accessible to any reader.  The poems are very short, none longer than two pages, though most only two to three stanzas.  While anyone can enjoy the book, I think it really speaks to those in the early stages of life, looking for answers on how, when, and where love can be found.  I wish I had this when I was 18 years old realizing how my actions and words can impact those who I was attracted to, yet incapable of communicating effectively.  Great read.