Melody in Exile

by S.T. Brant

Genre: Poetry

ISBN: 978-1639884988

Print Length: 108 pages

Publisher: Atmosphere Press

A soulful and melodious journey

S.T. Brant’s debut poetry collection, “Melody in Exile,” is a timeless and timely masterpiece that demands your undivided attention. Although it took me longer than usual to find my footing within this collection, the journey through these poems is a rewarding one. The verses often contain allusions to historical figures and created words, while also breathing new life into classic literature in thought-provoking ways.

Brant presents alternative perspectives, challenging even the most well-known stories such as that of Adam and Eve. Beneath the skillful language, steeped in sumptuous literary tradition and formal excellence, lies an inspired emotional candor. The collection delves into enduring themes of the soul, meaning, and hope.

“Melody in Exile” is divided into three numbered sections: I, resounding with faith and the belief that not all is lost; II, singing of Eden as a state our souls remember and can attain; and III, affirming that through attentive listening and appropriate action, we can harmonize our melodies. These sections come together to take readers on a spiritual crusade, commencing with Part I’s poignant poem, “A Prayer.”

From the depths of “A Prayer,” the words resonate:

“All my words pour on you, my heart in them,
In thoughts, nothing left in me
But me. Empty me of all extraneous, empty
Me of me, Resurrection,
Resurgence O Graft, Transplant, Flowerpot.”

The middle section of the collection features “The Siesta of Restraint, The 3rd Ecstasy,” a remarkable love poem that stays true to the melodic path of the entire collection. Furthermore, “De-Eden’ D IV A Song” vividly portrays Eden with a fresh perspective, invoking imagery from the classic story:

“Eden is composed of Love, We are notes of Music!”

And:

“Eros wanders winter night, warms herself at firesides, sings her
heartache into light.”

In the final section, Brant presents some of the collection’s most compelling poems, including the titular poem, “Melody in Exile,” along with “Picking Flowers of the Self from the Selfless World” and “Experience.” These verses eloquently depict life’s darkness, concluding with a sense of beauty and the pursuit of optimism and belief. The overall effect is a profound journey of truth.

By the end of this collection, I found myself deeply invested in the soulful experience it offers. Brant goes beyond a surface-level exploration of the personal and takes readers on an adventure that touches upon the divine and the soul. The lasting feeling evoked is that we are always singing in a divine fire, forever connected to something greater.

“Melody in Exile” is a remarkable work that transcends time and speaks to the depths of the human experience. Brant’s poetic prowess guides readers on a profound exploration, leaving them with a lasting impression and a renewed sense of connection to the divine.