The Bird Released

"When I release the bird of my heart, I will be at peace." So ends the poem from which the title of this collection is taken...and, in another poem, the poet writes: "When my grandmother was my age, her dress was already chosen. 'Lay me down in my casket, cross my arms over my chest and place a red rose in my hand.' Me. I want to be on fire. No red rose for me. I want to hold a lightning bolt." Ms. Walker is definitely "on fire" in this collection of poems. Some of her poems sink to the depths of despair, others fly to the heights of rapture. Some speak to travel to exotic places, other poems search for true love, purpose, and meaning in life. This collection of poems documents an emotional journey, fifty years in the making.