CRY, SMILE, WONDER

David C. Sarnacki

Buy on Amazon "Thrivers/Survivors" Poem

Reader Reviews

Spending time reading this book is like spending time with a good friend. You will feel a comfort level, a familiarity with the emotions and experiences expressed by the author. The writing will touch your heart and spirit. Two of my favorites: "Favorite Things Thrivers Tell Survivors" and "The Joy of Living".

I am not a poetry buff so I did not approach this with any idea of what to expect or how to evaluate it. I am, however, a reader and appreciate both imaginative writing and an artful description of the human condition. I found both in the pages of this book.

The best piece, in my opinion was not a poem but an essay, "Clean Your Room" that was startling for its observations, humanity and ultimately, its humility. Some poems, like "A Night," were just fun. But "Rain," was a great reminder to wash away our self-importance and enjoy the grace and miracle of life.

[Sarnacki] is able to capture the beauty of ordinary moments in an extraordinary way. This is a book that I will read repeatedly, and find something new to contemplate each time.

This writing will speak to both the young and the old, male and female, those you love poetry and those you don't. These poems are thought provoking and inspiring. Cry, Smile, Wonder is a celebration of all the emotions we feel as we go through this journey of life.

Media

MLive: East Grand Rapids resident publishes book of personal poetry

Support Network: David C. Sarnacki - Things Thrivers Tell Survivors

Support Network: What "things" do you tell other people?

In Cry, Smile, Wonder, David Sarnacki lays bare meaningful moments from our collective struggles and joys of being human. There are poems that will make you cry, poems to make you smile, poems about wonder and whimsy, and poems that might even touch your heart.

Written in a plain conversational style, these poems are highly accessible to nontraditional readers, with an eclectic mix of inspirational topics and styles. You will find poems touching on such subject matters as: relationships, things Thrivers tell Survivors, friendships, love and divorce, family, parents and children, adoption, death, grief and loss, suicide, hope, peace and joy, days to cry and the only time to die, and goodness. You will meet a Madam, the fat boy, Olivia and her counselor, the uncelebrated beauty, peach friend, Grampa Joe, a werewolf, aging basketball players, and many others. And hopefully you will find your mind and heart open to some of the unfolding mysteries of life.

From the simple to the extraordinary, from the common to the personal, there is something special in this collection for everyone. Poems include:

Whispering, Fabric Store, Madam Mei, Things Thrivers Tell Survivors, Rain, Fat Boy, A Night, Coming Back To The Normal, While You're Drinking Coffee, Men Are Gathering, Fool, First A Dream, Warmest Winter Day, Baby Names, Clean Your Room, Canyon, Snowflake, Esprit, A Time To Die, Poet, Olivia's Session, Another Step, Black & White, Maya & Mama, Gabrielle's Adoption, Crayons, Sky Goddess, Looking, The Uncelebrated Beauty, The Night After The Last Day Of School, Swirls, Peach Friend, Grampa Joe's Thanksgiving Blessing, Your Challenge, D.C. On A Monday Night, Another Day, The Dream, A Son's Prayer, A Father's Day, Baby Meggie, Chaos, The Wanderer, See The Child, Thank Love, The Wind, Emma, My Love, Carly's Birthday, Presence, Dwelling, The Cracks Around, Examination, The Gift Within Us, Mystery, Ava's Letter, Moment #694,137,600, Gifts From Irish Eyes, Peace, Today I Cry, Morning Love, Hope, From The Pilgrim In The Last Pew, Letters, Regan, Solstices, No Catch, Night Woman, and The Joy Of Living.