Secrets by Vivien Steels
23 poems,
17 illustrations
19 pages, paperback
Vivi*Pres 
http://www.exposweb.net/ExposedWebPages/VivienSteels/BookReviews.html

Review by Aurora Antonovic: Canadian writer, editor & visual artist Vivien Steels is a UK writer and illustrator based in Nottingham, England. She is perhaps best known for her poetry and art in watercolour, acrylics, pen and ink. Her work has been published extensively in both print and electronic form. She has exhibited her art in local shows, and acted as Poetry Editor of the web-based WAH during 2005/06.

Secrets is Ms. Steels' third collection of twenty-three fascinating poems, and seventeen artful illustrations, compiled on nineteen pages within a glossy cover. The words are nimble, switching deftly from various forms such as haiku and free verse, to cover a wide range of topics. There are poems that celebrate nature, such as Green Summer Gold, and Spring Equinox; those that explore loss in various forms, such as the opening poem, Secrets, and Early Frost; fantasy works, such as Witch Writer; and then there is the skilful handling of the unfortunate darker experiences of life in the poems Illness, and Against Humanity.

The illustrations bear Ms. Steel's signature attention to detail and lightness, each one enhancing the accompanying poem and worthy of its own attention. Indeed, the illustrations are a real treat and Ms. Steel's love of nature is apparent in each one. The presentation of the book is quite pleasant, with images aesthetically scattered among image-rich poems. Each poem, each illustration deserves to be savoured individually and as part of a whole project. Anyone who loves art, who loves poetry, who loves nature, who loves beauty, would appreciate having a copy of Vivien Steels' Secrets on the bookshelf, as well as extra copies for gifts. In this day and age of business and haste, Secrets is just the trick to rejuvenate.

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