introducing: new collection of poetry and photography by Jon meyer
from Joshua Tree Press
Clouds: love poems from above the fray
National and international awards and honors
Winner, Poetry/Nature: International Book Awards
Winner, Inspirational: Feathered Quill Book Awards
Winner, Gift/Specialty: Next Generation Indies Award
Winner, Pinnacle Book Achievement Award
Silver, Travel: Reader Views Awards
Bronze, Poetry: Reader Views Awards
Bronze, Poetry: International Independent Publisher Awards (IPPY)
Distinguished Favorite, Photography: Independent Press Award
Finalist, Interior Book Design: International Book Awards
Finalist, Poetry: Next Generation Indies Award
Finalist, Eric Hoffer Award
Finalist, Foreword Reviews Book of the Year Award
Press
Review by Susan Violante, Reader Views
Poetry and images from Clouds featured on the Ekphrastic Review
Review by Mihir Shah, US Review
Review by N. Anzar in GLOW Magazine
Review by Richard Frisbie, Travelingboy.com
Review by Julie Summers, Midwest Book Review
Interview by Lori’s Book Loft
Guest post on Savvy Verse & Wit
Clouds: love poems from above the fray has been a project of over four decades, containing poems influenced by Meyer’s traveling to 5 continents, giving lectures, and witnessing beautiful vistas in towns, cities, and above all, in nature. Thousands of the resulting photos are now contained in Meyer’s archive. He wrote over 700 five-line quintain poems down, from which he paired 64 with these photos for Clouds. The style evolved into short, post attention span poetry, i.e. quintains, that illustrate the inner and outer states of our environment. Opposite the poems, Meyer notes the adventure of finding the visual image.
In this new collection, Jon Meyer presents his poetry alongside pictures of the place that inspired it. [This] time, the black and white pictures add a mystifying effect to the journey. Meyer’s overall art is unique as his poems…taking readers through a sensory journey that touches their mind and soul. It’s a five-star work of art and a must-experience journey!
—Susan Violante, Reader Views
Meyer's work is a call for awakening the individual's inner spirit, a rallying cry in the form of mind-numbing photographs and poetry that will aid in self-discovery. Though the panoramic series of meticulously crafted photos are in black and white, they burst from the seams with color and energy. As poet, photographer, and, of course, storyteller, Meyer takes readers on a journey across the globe, pausing momentarily to let audiences feel nature's awe in its every creation.
—Mihir Shah, US Review
Whether consciously or by tapping into his deep well of historical and geographic insight, Jon Meyer touches us at our spiritual core . . . Jon Meyer combines his thoughts and perceptions, both in images and words.
—Jack B. Rochester, author of fifteen nonfiction books and four novels, co-founder of Fictional Café
I received the new book, Clouds, today and I couldn’t put it down! Exquisite photography and heartfelt poems to boot. So very lovely and touching. The combination of poignant visuals with warm words is electric! Thank you!
—Laura Smith, Bookstore Manager
Clouds – Love Poems From Above the Fray is not a book to be rushed through. A thoughtful perusal will leave you time to “hear the prayer flags flutter” and imagine the sound of the Tibetan bells singing, while perhaps revealing to you the author’s vision. It is a joyous one to observe and linger over.
—Richard Frisbie, Travelingboy.com
The black-and-white photographic images are perfectly paired with brief but thought-provoking quintain poems. The result is a truly memorable and contemplative experience for the browser, one page at a time.
—Julie Summers, Midwest Book Review
This elegant book has been Jon's project for over four decades. It has an ethereal eminence, and the poems seem to have emerged from the depths of reality. Each verse is clothed in beauty supported by photographs that have a mystical quality.... Jon has traveled the world over and has captured its beauty and majesty in words and images that are so beautifully illustrated in this work of art.
—GLOW Magazine
Sample pages from Clouds:
