LocalLit book review: multi-genre anthology will expand your view of ‘caring’

Your mama is dead, little ones ... she is four nights gone, never to return to the den beneath the linden tree…

As I was nearing the last few entries in an anthology called “Heroic Care” this lovely bit of poetry by Gail Gilmore jumped out at me, poetry full of sadness and yearning that made me want to cradle those five kits with their “white-tipped” tails and keep everything bad away from them forever.

The entry by Gilmore was a bonus because I had recently ordered both her books and had planned to start one this weekend.

I had met Gilmore through an online Twitter group called the 5amwritersclub that supports people like me that get up very early in the morning to improve our craft.

But I had picked up “Heroic Care” because another writer in that group, Ellen Symons, had submitted a piece that I wanted to read.

As I read one selection after another, I found entries by Susan Klobuchar and Maria Daversa, also members of this group.

So each turning of the page brought one more delightful surprise after another – and if you like surprises in your reading, wait until you read the short story about the demon pet in “Summoning Love” by Amos J. Landon.

Here is the abridged description on Amazon: “Curated from submissions sent in from around the globe, ‘Heroic Care’ includes everything from comics to poetry, short stories to micro-fiction. It includes memoir, sci-fi, romance, fantasy, contemporary realism, literary reflection, and everything in between. These different takes on the meaning of care will inspire, affirm, and challenge ideas of what it means to be express ourselves genuinely to the world around us.”

Some general teasers/thoughts on entries that resonated with me:

· If you had a mother or mentor foster your love of reading, you’ll enjoy “My Mother’s Gift” by Bobbi Lerman.

· If you weren’t a perfect parent and think you can do better for a grandchild in a rough situation, you’ll want to read “Aasia,” by Maria Daversa. That story especially resonated with me because, years ago, I interviewed someone who did exactly what this protagonist in the story did in the end. And I had just shared that story with a couple of my adult children the night before I read Daversa’s piece. Coincidence? Maybe.

· Don’t turn the page too quickly when you come to the artwork of 10-year-old Keegan Ollis and his father Nate that accompanies the story by Jill Pabich. Study it a moment. Let it sink in.

· “Bus 10” by Jim DeFilippi echoed the writings of one member of WriteOn Joliet, who shared stories of working with clients who were elderly, disabled or had memory issues. I have loved ones with all three of these issues. It may be a story. And yet, it’s all true.

· The “Improbability of Believing in Santa Claus” by E.F. Sweetman shows that kids can and will behave in altruistic ways when adults aren’t looking.

· “This is the Day I Die” by Ellen Symon reminded me of some of Colleen H. Robbins’ fantasy writings – and Symon’s piece made me reflect on the words long after I’d read the last ones . A must-read for people who think they are just a number in the system.

· But if you need a reminder on what’s important – and delightful – in life, the character Bunny in “Check Up” by Susan Klobuchar can provide a sweet master class.

· The four panel cartoon “Seasons of Moms” by Celine Mai made me cry. But maybe that’s because I’ve been a mom for a long time.

· I’ve had similar conversations as the protagonist had with her best friend in “Two Pea in a Pod” by Christi Byerly. Those conversations not warm and fuzzy, qualities we often associate with caring. But they are kind and gentle in moments that are anything but.

Finally, I can’t say you should “jump in the pond” as Ev did in “The Canyon Riders’ Code” by Susanna Baird.

But if you do, please let me know if it was worth it.

Buy “Heroic Care” on Amazon.

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Contact Denise M. Baran-Unland at 815-280-4122 or dunland@shawmedia.com.

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