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The Ocher of Abundance: Poems
The Ocher of Abundance, Poems-Volume 16 by Wendy E. Slater is the third poetry book in Slaters Traduka Wisdom Poetry Series to be published. After a twenty-year hiatus from writing poetry, she composed 20 volumes of spiritually inspired poetry which began in 2001 during a mystical sojourn to Scotland. Her poetry is the expression and integration of the inner dialogue with Divinity and the spiritual journey of self-discovery through vision quests, spiritual awakenings, and the dark night of the soul. Her words reflect deeply on both the hidden and revealed relationship of nature, the cosmos, humanity and the healing of archetypes both esoteric and known in the individual and collective psyche. Her poetic formulas are both wisdom and method; a sharing of words that open doors for readers and invite them on their own spiritual journey of awakening and healing.
- GenresPoetryInspirational
110 pages, Paperback
Published March 29, 2018
About the author
Wendy E. Slater
6 books459 followersAfter a twenty-year hiatus from writing poetry, Wendy E. Slater composed 20 volumes of mystically inspired poetry, which began in 2001 during a sojourn to Scotland.
The Traduka Wisdom Poetry Series® is a modern mystical poetry collection written by the poet, Wendy E. Slater, to bring healing to each reader in a unique way.
“Wendy’s poetry offers guidance which will last for all times.” - Reader Review
The compilation of poetry volumes was created for the purpose of taking the reader on a journey of the soul to inspire, mend, comfort and ignite one’s own self-discovery, self-realization, and transformation.
“In a world that clouds up our senses, her verse is a haven of solace.” - Reader Review
Slater’s modern transcendent poetry brings comfort, solace and balm in tumultuous times with the intent to heal, release, and transmute self-blame and judgement so that self-compassion may re-awaken within.
“Slater takes you on a journey of the soul that you will not want to leave.” - Reader Review
To know more about The Traduka Wisdom Poetry Series® and the poet, visit www.wendyslater.com
Connect on Twitter: @WendyESlater
Connect on Instagram: @wendyeslater
To listen to poetry readings on Wendy's youtube channel, visit http://bit.ly/tradukavideos
The Traduka Wisdom Poetry Series® is a modern mystical poetry collection written by the poet, Wendy E. Slater, to bring healing to each reader in a unique way.
“Wendy’s poetry offers guidance which will last for all times.” - Reader Review
The compilation of poetry volumes was created for the purpose of taking the reader on a journey of the soul to inspire, mend, comfort and ignite one’s own self-discovery, self-realization, and transformation.
“In a world that clouds up our senses, her verse is a haven of solace.” - Reader Review
Slater’s modern transcendent poetry brings comfort, solace and balm in tumultuous times with the intent to heal, release, and transmute self-blame and judgement so that self-compassion may re-awaken within.
“Slater takes you on a journey of the soul that you will not want to leave.” - Reader Review
To know more about The Traduka Wisdom Poetry Series® and the poet, visit www.wendyslater.com
Connect on Twitter: @WendyESlater
Connect on Instagram: @wendyeslater
To listen to poetry readings on Wendy's youtube channel, visit http://bit.ly/tradukavideos
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
July 26, 2018
"And the thorns
fell from the sky
into your heart."
—Wendy E Slater
Wendy E Slater, a poetess and real-life shaman, seeks the raw truth that exists in each of us. Through the song of her words, she encourages us to shed the excess baggage of life's superficiality that we might become enlightened in the process.
Slater's own life is one of self-discovery and her spiritual poetry laments all that has turned sour in our world, whether a wounded soldier or our polluted planet.
Mother Nature is her beautiful warrior queen, albeit one that sometimes exhibits a spiteful duplicity. But out of decay and natural disaster, there is always regeneration - the circle of life. Through the honesty of her words, the author bears life's scars as if they were medals of honour, yet still retains a universe of love in her heart.
I'm a long-term fan of Wendy Slater. Her poetry takes me somewhere that a novel can't, and this is a delightful, meditative read that might cause readers -even if only for a short while - to question their unmindful lives.
fell from the sky
into your heart."
—Wendy E Slater
Wendy E Slater, a poetess and real-life shaman, seeks the raw truth that exists in each of us. Through the song of her words, she encourages us to shed the excess baggage of life's superficiality that we might become enlightened in the process.
Slater's own life is one of self-discovery and her spiritual poetry laments all that has turned sour in our world, whether a wounded soldier or our polluted planet.
Mother Nature is her beautiful warrior queen, albeit one that sometimes exhibits a spiteful duplicity. But out of decay and natural disaster, there is always regeneration - the circle of life. Through the honesty of her words, the author bears life's scars as if they were medals of honour, yet still retains a universe of love in her heart.
I'm a long-term fan of Wendy Slater. Her poetry takes me somewhere that a novel can't, and this is a delightful, meditative read that might cause readers -even if only for a short while - to question their unmindful lives.
August 21, 2022
The opening invocation of peace is beautifully constructed, and the earthy poetry that swirls across the pages of Ms. Slater’s book put me in a quiet place of introspection.
I found this stanza particularly striking.
1608
A sultry night
Is full of daffodils,
A man with a cart and bedding,
Luggage and grief,
Wheeling and bumping
Singing a lonesome song
Through the lot
Trailing to no home
Of hearth and walls,
But to tracks,
Tiredness and abandon.
After sitting silently with Slater’s exquisite poetry, I feel a peace that wasn’t there before. Her verse is a salve for wounded souls.
Highly recommended for all poetry lovers!
I found this stanza particularly striking.
1608
A sultry night
Is full of daffodils,
A man with a cart and bedding,
Luggage and grief,
Wheeling and bumping
Singing a lonesome song
Through the lot
Trailing to no home
Of hearth and walls,
But to tracks,
Tiredness and abandon.
After sitting silently with Slater’s exquisite poetry, I feel a peace that wasn’t there before. Her verse is a salve for wounded souls.
Highly recommended for all poetry lovers!
March 3, 2023
“What is gone never began as the moment never ceases.”
Mesmerisingly revelatory!
This is author, Wendy Slater’s second poetry book that I have just read and I found her poems to be life-transforming!
Drawn from an experiential communion with the creative force of existence, Wendy’s poems boldly hold a mirror and a wiper against her reader’s faces. Mirror to stun us with what we fail to see in ourselves and wiper to help us see the world as it really is, not as variations of good or bad. The stroke of creative genius unmissable in every poem, can make one acutely aware of Wendy’s repeated implication, that truth—-what everyone is really after—-is right here and has always been here, that abundance needn’t be hoarded——when one relaxes, it is just there.
One is pushed towards self-scrutiny everytime a random, unnoticed event of the world boldly leaps out of Wendy’s pages, to rock us out of our social hypnosis, so we recognise the silliness of arrogance, how all our experiences of life are but twisted versions of our minds, and how more than half of this restless world is busy mistaking obsession for love.
Reading her poems, I felt a profound level of peace and acceptance well up inside me!Hence I highly recommend Wendy’s wonderful poetry book for everyone, poetry-lovers or not! It will be 100% worth your time!
Mesmerisingly revelatory!
This is author, Wendy Slater’s second poetry book that I have just read and I found her poems to be life-transforming!
Drawn from an experiential communion with the creative force of existence, Wendy’s poems boldly hold a mirror and a wiper against her reader’s faces. Mirror to stun us with what we fail to see in ourselves and wiper to help us see the world as it really is, not as variations of good or bad. The stroke of creative genius unmissable in every poem, can make one acutely aware of Wendy’s repeated implication, that truth—-what everyone is really after—-is right here and has always been here, that abundance needn’t be hoarded——when one relaxes, it is just there.
One is pushed towards self-scrutiny everytime a random, unnoticed event of the world boldly leaps out of Wendy’s pages, to rock us out of our social hypnosis, so we recognise the silliness of arrogance, how all our experiences of life are but twisted versions of our minds, and how more than half of this restless world is busy mistaking obsession for love.
Reading her poems, I felt a profound level of peace and acceptance well up inside me!Hence I highly recommend Wendy’s wonderful poetry book for everyone, poetry-lovers or not! It will be 100% worth your time!
December 28, 2022
'The Ocher of Abundance' by accomplished poet Wendy Slater speaks to the soul of a reader who is tossed amidst the turmoil, barbarity, obsessiveness & insanity of a world gone mad. Yet at the same time, this collection heals the soul, proves that the earth is not a mere matrix of invisible borders & that regeneration can take place even in these most difficult times of the Post-truth era. In this collection too, Slater mingles together terrible historical events along with ascension philosophy which will appeal to the reader seeking a deeper understanding into the dynamism of the cosmos. Those who are of a spiritual mindset will undoubtedly love this book & gain a lot of peace & healing from it. This book can prove to be a very useful tool to facilitate discussions on how we as earthlings have abused & used our planet making it from a 'blue planet' to a 'brutal planet'. The book can also be useful in propagating harmony between various communities the world over as we read through her breath-taking poems about the futility of violence, inane obstinacy & cold cruelty. Indian readers will find this book of poetry as excellent reading material to facilitate the current trends we as a nation are making towards a more environmentally healthier & safer planet. Some of my favorite poems in this soul stirring collection were 1601, 1604, 1608, 1631 & 1656. I especially appreciated the way Slater so beautifully puts in her own personality, hardships & wounds in this collection which makes the collection indeed a lyric to the universe for peace, unity in diversity & a realization that we need to 'agree to disagree'. One of my favorite lines in the collection was 'What is gone never began as the moment never ceases'. Slater has the gift to make her poetry sing out the song of the universal brotherhood of humankind that makes 'The Ocher of Abundance' a meeting point collection for all religious communities seeking a common ground to begin a discussion on how we can rejuvenate, regenerate & go back to the innocence of a time even before the primordial era. The book is a must-read! Get your copy of this book today! 'The Ocher of Abundance' gets five stars from me.
September 21, 2021
The Ocher of Abundance is the third book of poetry that I’ve read by the talented Wendy E. Slater and what a mesmerising read it has been! Wendy’s words have the ability to lure one to a world that seeks to find truth and answers. The many references to the cosmos and Mother Nature remind us that we are more than the everyday — we are more than our never-ending routines. The minute I read the first page, I was hooked. Even if I had decided to just take a peek at the first poem, having planned to start reading the book when I had more time, I realised that everything around me, whether it was the relaxing piano music that was playing in the background, or the dishwasher waiting to be loaded; all these things were completely forgotten, and I kept reading until I was halfway through the book, the poems hypnotising and enrapturing me with their layers of depth and hidden meaning. Each poem has a way of glueing the reader to their seat. They demand to be heard and I wanted to know what they had to say. They made me think about life in a holistic way and they challenged, confronted, nurtured and healed all at the same time.
This particular set of poems shine a light on issues such as hypocrisy, exploitation, the earth’s decay, pollution, manipulation, narcissism — greed and obsession, the plight of the wounded soldier, and much more. They also deal with passion and love, and finding a way to live as one. They search for purpose and look to the cosmos for answers and meaning. They talk about life, hope, and rebirth — that after pain comes rebirth — and hope returns. All the themes are steered by the quest for meaning and purpose, and also for healing. The metaphors and descriptions are so cleverly utilised to convey the message, always reminding us to go back to the truth — to search our soul and to wake up and to really notice the bigger picture. Wendy’s poems, however, also show us the cruel irony that lies beneath the surface even within that which is considered beautiful — even amongst nature. They show us that there is injustice and there is pain, and that guises also exist which are used by many to hide behind lies in a way that justifies those lies. This is how I interpreted them and what I took away from them, which is what this intelligent, spiritual, and highly creative poetry does: it challenges those that tread on its path to challenge their own thinking and what they already know — or think they know. Overall, the poems guide one towards enlightenment.
I feel so rejuvenated after reading this evocative book of poetry and I love how the poems invite me to think deeper and delve into topics that are prevalent in our world. This is done in such a way that isn’t at all preachy, but rather with brutal honesty, warmth and grace, abundantly rich and fruitful knowledge, enigmatically beautiful yet fitting imagery, and sprinkled with clever wit throughout. Slater’s brilliant mind never ceases to amaze me. I am so grateful to have discovered Wendy E. Slater’s extremely intelligent and creative poetry and I look forward to revisiting all three books and to, once again, be taken on an alluring, mystical journey of healing and self-awareness. I highly recommend this book of poetry.
This particular set of poems shine a light on issues such as hypocrisy, exploitation, the earth’s decay, pollution, manipulation, narcissism — greed and obsession, the plight of the wounded soldier, and much more. They also deal with passion and love, and finding a way to live as one. They search for purpose and look to the cosmos for answers and meaning. They talk about life, hope, and rebirth — that after pain comes rebirth — and hope returns. All the themes are steered by the quest for meaning and purpose, and also for healing. The metaphors and descriptions are so cleverly utilised to convey the message, always reminding us to go back to the truth — to search our soul and to wake up and to really notice the bigger picture. Wendy’s poems, however, also show us the cruel irony that lies beneath the surface even within that which is considered beautiful — even amongst nature. They show us that there is injustice and there is pain, and that guises also exist which are used by many to hide behind lies in a way that justifies those lies. This is how I interpreted them and what I took away from them, which is what this intelligent, spiritual, and highly creative poetry does: it challenges those that tread on its path to challenge their own thinking and what they already know — or think they know. Overall, the poems guide one towards enlightenment.
I feel so rejuvenated after reading this evocative book of poetry and I love how the poems invite me to think deeper and delve into topics that are prevalent in our world. This is done in such a way that isn’t at all preachy, but rather with brutal honesty, warmth and grace, abundantly rich and fruitful knowledge, enigmatically beautiful yet fitting imagery, and sprinkled with clever wit throughout. Slater’s brilliant mind never ceases to amaze me. I am so grateful to have discovered Wendy E. Slater’s extremely intelligent and creative poetry and I look forward to revisiting all three books and to, once again, be taken on an alluring, mystical journey of healing and self-awareness. I highly recommend this book of poetry.
April 11, 2024
“What is gone never began as the moment never ceases.”
Mesmerisingly revelatory!
This is author, Wendy Slater’s second poetry book that I have just read and I found her poems to be life-transforming!
Drawn from an experiential communion with the creative force of existence, Wendy’s poems boldly hold a mirror and a wiper against her reader’s faces. Mirror to stun us with what we fail to see in ourselves and wiper to help us see the world as it really is, not as variations of good or bad. The stroke of creative genius unmissable in every poem, can make one acutely aware of Wendy’s repeated implication, that truth—-what everyone is really after—-is right here and has always been here, that abundance needn’t be hoarded——when one relaxes, it is just there.
One is pushed towards self-scrutiny everytime a random, unnoticed event of the world boldly leaps out of Wendy’s pages, to rock us out of our social hypnosis, so we recognise the silliness of arrogance, how all our experiences of life are but twisted versions of our minds, and how more than half of this restless world is busy mistaking obsession for love.
Reading her poems, I felt a profound level of peace and acceptance well up inside me!Hence I highly recommend Wendy’s wonderful poetry book for everyone, poetry-lovers or not! It will be 100% worth your time!
Mesmerisingly revelatory!
This is author, Wendy Slater’s second poetry book that I have just read and I found her poems to be life-transforming!
Drawn from an experiential communion with the creative force of existence, Wendy’s poems boldly hold a mirror and a wiper against her reader’s faces. Mirror to stun us with what we fail to see in ourselves and wiper to help us see the world as it really is, not as variations of good or bad. The stroke of creative genius unmissable in every poem, can make one acutely aware of Wendy’s repeated implication, that truth—-what everyone is really after—-is right here and has always been here, that abundance needn’t be hoarded——when one relaxes, it is just there.
One is pushed towards self-scrutiny everytime a random, unnoticed event of the world boldly leaps out of Wendy’s pages, to rock us out of our social hypnosis, so we recognise the silliness of arrogance, how all our experiences of life are but twisted versions of our minds, and how more than half of this restless world is busy mistaking obsession for love.
Reading her poems, I felt a profound level of peace and acceptance well up inside me!Hence I highly recommend Wendy’s wonderful poetry book for everyone, poetry-lovers or not! It will be 100% worth your time!
January 27, 2021
Transcendent and Enchanting
An extraordinary, evocative, collection of poetry with the raw honesty we’ve come to expect from poet Wendy E. Slater. Her captivating words have the power to comfort yet stir the human heart, soul, and psyche. The poet gently leads us to reflect upon all that we hold sacred but somehow destroy or sabotage through our own human fallibility. We are so full of potential but either become overwhelmed and then addicted in a variety of ways to quell what ails us, or think we are so superior that we can fix the world. What we hold dear, precious, and even marvel at is often not safe from mankind and our human nature to either protect that which may not need our protection, improve upon that which does not need our intervention, but rather cries out for our understanding, compassion, and the ability to accept things as they are intended to be- whether in nature or in life all things must live and learn and the cycle of life continues. The universe doesn’t make mistakes.
An extraordinary, evocative, collection of poetry with the raw honesty we’ve come to expect from poet Wendy E. Slater. Her captivating words have the power to comfort yet stir the human heart, soul, and psyche. The poet gently leads us to reflect upon all that we hold sacred but somehow destroy or sabotage through our own human fallibility. We are so full of potential but either become overwhelmed and then addicted in a variety of ways to quell what ails us, or think we are so superior that we can fix the world. What we hold dear, precious, and even marvel at is often not safe from mankind and our human nature to either protect that which may not need our protection, improve upon that which does not need our intervention, but rather cries out for our understanding, compassion, and the ability to accept things as they are intended to be- whether in nature or in life all things must live and learn and the cycle of life continues. The universe doesn’t make mistakes.
July 27, 2018
Wow...this gem made me rediscover my long lost love of the poetic! I found it stunning. Fluidity of language, metaphors, visual imagery... I could go on. They exceeded anything I have read for years. Here's an example:.. and I could give many more.
'The bleeding lip
is bitter
Hard ice,
Folds of venom
Hidden by the pocketed
Deceit, deception
Fanged into the lotus
That held the love,
Only to be mirrored
By a jealous heart
I could carry on but it will take up too room... This is a very special book with sentiments and meanings. I loved it! Well done, Wendy E Slater.
'The bleeding lip
is bitter
Hard ice,
Folds of venom
Hidden by the pocketed
Deceit, deception
Fanged into the lotus
That held the love,
Only to be mirrored
By a jealous heart
I could carry on but it will take up too room... This is a very special book with sentiments and meanings. I loved it! Well done, Wendy E Slater.
January 14, 2024
Go Deep With This Collection
Discover this amazing poetry collection and you’ll be back for more from this talented poet. Wendy takes us on both a deep dive inside and a soaring of beauty outside. This collection asks for generous time to experience the uncommon. The poems that remain with me are 1611, 1622, 1638, and 1642, but I already know being with Wendy's poetry is ever evolving right along with me. I expect these numbers will change, too. This isn't a book that sits on a shelf. You'll see!
Discover this amazing poetry collection and you’ll be back for more from this talented poet. Wendy takes us on both a deep dive inside and a soaring of beauty outside. This collection asks for generous time to experience the uncommon. The poems that remain with me are 1611, 1622, 1638, and 1642, but I already know being with Wendy's poetry is ever evolving right along with me. I expect these numbers will change, too. This isn't a book that sits on a shelf. You'll see!
April 28, 2021
ENCHANTED
A collection of poetry written with passion and depth
Wendy’s writing style is fluid and smooth
Her words resonate real emotions . This poetry is the kind that you can read over again.
Each time finding something new to reflect upon
I highly recommend reading this book
A collection of poetry written with passion and depth
Wendy’s writing style is fluid and smooth
Her words resonate real emotions . This poetry is the kind that you can read over again.
Each time finding something new to reflect upon
I highly recommend reading this book
May 13, 2021
I was mesmerised by her words.
Wendy E. Slater is exceptionally talented, her captivating poetry opened up my mind to deep emotional and spiritual awakenings. Her beautiful way with words had a profound effect on me. I highly recommend her book - The Ocher of Abundance.
Wendy E. Slater is exceptionally talented, her captivating poetry opened up my mind to deep emotional and spiritual awakenings. Her beautiful way with words had a profound effect on me. I highly recommend her book - The Ocher of Abundance.
February 21, 2023
Just finished 'The Ocher of Abundance' by Wendy Slater
"Surreal. But firmly etched in the now with an acceptance of our fragility and vulnerability."
Loved these lines ...
"A rose is always a rose
In the garden, vase or wilted
Even folded back into the compost."
And also
"The stem, stamen and pistil
came together to lament a fallen petal."
It's beautiful to see the way the poet finds inspiration from nature and space ~ galaxies, seasons, the wind and the sea, flowers and birds and animals . Through these sublime and spirited words we feel her zeal toward life and all its various phases.
Wendy Slater's poetry will also remind you that...
"What is gone
never began
As the moment never ceases."
As also that...
"Neither today nor yesterday a sanctuary
the heart longs to be held in the palm"
She tells you that time will slip through your fingers, the harder you try to hold it.
And this line was a gem~ "More than Truth, Wisdom Reveals Itself." It challenged my perspective~ yes truth does reveal itself but what about wisdom? If you dwell on it, you will realize, we may believe that we are wise, but the true judge of wisdom will be our behavior, our responses , basically the way we react to different situations. Hence once more I say...
"More than truth, wisdom reveals itself."
I conclude my review of this beautiful poetry collection inspired by themes about the homeless, domestic violence and broken homes, war, birth, truth, secrets and above all love and even birth.
"If the shelter of my arms and heart
Could not arc a place
For the tenderness of yourself
To come home to me again
And to know my heart is safe and loved
In the palm of your hand."
Poetry by Wendy Slater may seem surreal and not of this world but believe all her words are firmly etched in the being, in the now and in complete understanding of our fragility and vulnerability as humans
"Surreal. But firmly etched in the now with an acceptance of our fragility and vulnerability."
Loved these lines ...
"A rose is always a rose
In the garden, vase or wilted
Even folded back into the compost."
And also
"The stem, stamen and pistil
came together to lament a fallen petal."
It's beautiful to see the way the poet finds inspiration from nature and space ~ galaxies, seasons, the wind and the sea, flowers and birds and animals . Through these sublime and spirited words we feel her zeal toward life and all its various phases.
Wendy Slater's poetry will also remind you that...
"What is gone
never began
As the moment never ceases."
As also that...
"Neither today nor yesterday a sanctuary
the heart longs to be held in the palm"
She tells you that time will slip through your fingers, the harder you try to hold it.
And this line was a gem~ "More than Truth, Wisdom Reveals Itself." It challenged my perspective~ yes truth does reveal itself but what about wisdom? If you dwell on it, you will realize, we may believe that we are wise, but the true judge of wisdom will be our behavior, our responses , basically the way we react to different situations. Hence once more I say...
"More than truth, wisdom reveals itself."
I conclude my review of this beautiful poetry collection inspired by themes about the homeless, domestic violence and broken homes, war, birth, truth, secrets and above all love and even birth.
"If the shelter of my arms and heart
Could not arc a place
For the tenderness of yourself
To come home to me again
And to know my heart is safe and loved
In the palm of your hand."
Poetry by Wendy Slater may seem surreal and not of this world but believe all her words are firmly etched in the being, in the now and in complete understanding of our fragility and vulnerability as humans
March 4, 2022
I’m so reminded of a few of my favorite poets-Sylvia Plath, Anne Sexton, Emily Dickinson, Nikki Giovanni, to Maya Angelou-just to name a few. Profound. Sorrow (at times). Provocative. Evocative. Visceral. Haunting. Spiritual. Enlightening. And simultaneously sad and uplifting.
Slater’s poems touch every part, every aspect of the human condition. The trials and tribulations. The wonderings of how and why things are (or might be) as they are. From, betrayal to love gained and lost, to hate and, all the while, trying to make sense of humanity, war, greed, and realizing the frailties, which , often times, get buried in a miasma sucking the last breaths.
It’s not radical, fatalistic, negativistic, nor pessimistic or a pessimistic, radical unfolding of our world, but most importantly, the self. Each and every poem will ‘blow the top of your head off!’ (Emily Dickinson) This reading checks EVERY box for me! ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!!!
(I have a few favorites and have taken excerpts from three in particular-shown in pics) Were there more than five ⭐️, this would most certainly merit those!
Slater’s poems touch every part, every aspect of the human condition. The trials and tribulations. The wonderings of how and why things are (or might be) as they are. From, betrayal to love gained and lost, to hate and, all the while, trying to make sense of humanity, war, greed, and realizing the frailties, which , often times, get buried in a miasma sucking the last breaths.
It’s not radical, fatalistic, negativistic, nor pessimistic or a pessimistic, radical unfolding of our world, but most importantly, the self. Each and every poem will ‘blow the top of your head off!’ (Emily Dickinson) This reading checks EVERY box for me! ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!!!
(I have a few favorites and have taken excerpts from three in particular-shown in pics) Were there more than five ⭐️, this would most certainly merit those!
July 22, 2021
Wendy Slater takes poetry to a new level. Skilfully, she gathers threads of nature, the cosmos and humanity at both a physical and spiritual level and interweaves them with a rare proficiency and talent to deliver words that are a profound delight to both hear and recite (I've bought the audio book and the kindle version I am so impressed).
Starting with a beautifully worded invocation for peace, we are then taken on a magical and ethereal journey through moons reflecting on stilled water, the hint of a daughter's laughter on the wind, the taste of spring nectar, the aridity of grief and the timeless, eternal bliss of love's first precious kiss.
Like a rollercoaster of emotions, Ocher of Abundance is truly inspiring to behold. Opening doors to the subconscious it leaves the listener or the reader feeling refreshed both physically and spiritually. I particularly enjoyed reading the book with slow, ambient music playing in the background and jasmine or lavender scented air - a truly beautiful and uplifting experience.
Starting with a beautifully worded invocation for peace, we are then taken on a magical and ethereal journey through moons reflecting on stilled water, the hint of a daughter's laughter on the wind, the taste of spring nectar, the aridity of grief and the timeless, eternal bliss of love's first precious kiss.
Like a rollercoaster of emotions, Ocher of Abundance is truly inspiring to behold. Opening doors to the subconscious it leaves the listener or the reader feeling refreshed both physically and spiritually. I particularly enjoyed reading the book with slow, ambient music playing in the background and jasmine or lavender scented air - a truly beautiful and uplifting experience.
June 18, 2019
I received a complimentary copy.
I am not really someone who gets a lot of poetry. Sometimes I will read it a passage and just kind of wonder, but I guess with a book like this perhaps that is what is meant to be done. SO while most of this book confuses me it does so in the best possible way.
I am not really someone who gets a lot of poetry. Sometimes I will read it a passage and just kind of wonder, but I guess with a book like this perhaps that is what is meant to be done. SO while most of this book confuses me it does so in the best possible way.
December 30, 2022
‘The Ochre of Abundance’: Wendy E. Slater’s Traduka Wisdom series is a breath of fresh air and you’ll want to immerse yourself in its stream of wisdom and searching beauty. Once again, she has created a free flowing energy of words, as I described in a review of her previous book: ‘Of the Flame’ Volume 15: "The writing is simple and clear – more like reading a stream in a forest."
At first sight these poems look very fragile with their beautifully tumbling structure, but they bind together incredibly well, like ivy, investigating a trellis panel – sometimes arching from one to the next to carry the message forward. The outlook is always wonderfully broad – something of great strength and durability.
I know Wendy shares some influences with me, even though our work is entirely different, so straight away I sensed Eliot playing in the foliage of these poems – like children laughing. I also got a sense of connection with the ‘I Ching’ – The Book of Changes, which is an ancient divination system, though principally a structured book of wisdom and guidance.
Wendy has some beautiful words and phrases and you will be glad you found them, as I am. From so much available in the book I can only relate a small portion here:
"What is gone/ never began/ as the moment never ceases"
"The pardon of the sweetness/ allowed the coarseness to show/ its fangs"
"But collapsing back into again and again"
"In the permanent radiance of full moons"
1613 had a definite sense of the I Ching.
1642 Vague imprints – this one connected with me particularly.
There is just so much positivity – buy it, you will not be disappointed.
Peter Hague
At first sight these poems look very fragile with their beautifully tumbling structure, but they bind together incredibly well, like ivy, investigating a trellis panel – sometimes arching from one to the next to carry the message forward. The outlook is always wonderfully broad – something of great strength and durability.
I know Wendy shares some influences with me, even though our work is entirely different, so straight away I sensed Eliot playing in the foliage of these poems – like children laughing. I also got a sense of connection with the ‘I Ching’ – The Book of Changes, which is an ancient divination system, though principally a structured book of wisdom and guidance.
Wendy has some beautiful words and phrases and you will be glad you found them, as I am. From so much available in the book I can only relate a small portion here:
"What is gone/ never began/ as the moment never ceases"
"The pardon of the sweetness/ allowed the coarseness to show/ its fangs"
"But collapsing back into again and again"
"In the permanent radiance of full moons"
1613 had a definite sense of the I Ching.
1642 Vague imprints – this one connected with me particularly.
There is just so much positivity – buy it, you will not be disappointed.
Peter Hague
March 11, 2024
This is the second volume of poetry I’ve read by Wendy Slater. I knew when I read the first one, I would indeed return for more.
Slater is an extraordinarily talented poet. I love reading her words. They’re so rich in imagery and with each poem, I stop to visualize what interpretation my past experiences and my imagination have joined forces to present to me in concert with Slater’s artistry. I wonder what the story is behind her words, and how close it may be to my own. I read every poem multiple times to truly feel the weight of the words. I only wish I were able to review this poetry as well as Slater writes it. For me, that is beyond impossible.
In 1608, she writes these words …
a man with a cart and bedding,
Luggage and grief
Wheeling and bumping
Singing a lonesome song
With this I see the opening scene of a movie. Sadly, I also see humanity as I see it nearly every day out in the world. I am always in awe when a poet of Slater’s stature so brilliantly captures so much in so few, but perfectly chosen words.
These lines also resonated strongly with me, as I know they will with many:
Because home is home
the walls do speak
when we listen
ALSO:
And I was too generous
with sight
in seeing both sides
Reading a gifted poet is a treat … and it is an experience that brings so much to the reader who is willing to dig deep, to remember, to feel. This is the epitome of my experience reading Wendy Slater’s work.
Slater is an extraordinarily talented poet. I love reading her words. They’re so rich in imagery and with each poem, I stop to visualize what interpretation my past experiences and my imagination have joined forces to present to me in concert with Slater’s artistry. I wonder what the story is behind her words, and how close it may be to my own. I read every poem multiple times to truly feel the weight of the words. I only wish I were able to review this poetry as well as Slater writes it. For me, that is beyond impossible.
In 1608, she writes these words …
a man with a cart and bedding,
Luggage and grief
Wheeling and bumping
Singing a lonesome song
With this I see the opening scene of a movie. Sadly, I also see humanity as I see it nearly every day out in the world. I am always in awe when a poet of Slater’s stature so brilliantly captures so much in so few, but perfectly chosen words.
These lines also resonated strongly with me, as I know they will with many:
Because home is home
the walls do speak
when we listen
ALSO:
And I was too generous
with sight
in seeing both sides
Reading a gifted poet is a treat … and it is an experience that brings so much to the reader who is willing to dig deep, to remember, to feel. This is the epitome of my experience reading Wendy Slater’s work.
April 22, 2024
Wendy E. Slater is a poet with unlimited scope; but she is also a poet’s poet. The language of “The Ocher of Abundance,” is as colorful and compelling as the rich, earthy pigment splattered across its cover.
Most of the poems are written in a stream of consciousness style, often formatted in triplet verse that cascades down the page, with each thought either blending with or overtaking the next. Throughout this collection, Wendy makes us aware of how we see things and what we need to do to change the things in us, the world, or the universe that need improvement. Above all, the poems in this collection are focused on discovery and truth, as noted in the book’s dedication: “For the Truth and the Path to It.”
There were numerous lines and verses that caught my attention, including: “a rose is always a rose” (# 1602) and “The arc of fallen stars bring to the awakened one triumph of who we are.” (# 1611). My favorite poem was #1637: “A beacon of darkness is not despair but transformation to the core.”
“The Ocher of Abundance” is hauntingly beautiful and continues the fresh, abundant, and mystical language of the poet’s previous works.
July 11, 2023
I don't usually read poetry, but Wendy E. Slater's book titled The Ocher of Abundance (Volume 16) intrigued me, so I purchased a copy, and I was not disappointed. Wendy's poems are like drawing oneself into a quiet spiritual garden to capture the essence of life.
It is soul-searching, a divine act of digging beneath the layers to cease vain struggles and embrace inner healing. The poems are thought-provoking, inspiring, and emotional. I found myself stopped several times to meditate on the pearls Wendy tucked between the lines.
Stanza 1635
If your sweetness
touched my lips
In an Absolute
Moment,
The vulnerability
Would reveal
To be licked
By the taste of all
Always.
This is a reminder to breathe in the essence of life, to take time to embrace the beauty, suffering, and pain it offers, as well as its immense joy and unfathomable love. Wendy plumbs the depths of human existence and brings fresh understanding to the multifaceted aspects of everyday life.
I highly recommend this book, and I will be reading more written by this author.
It is soul-searching, a divine act of digging beneath the layers to cease vain struggles and embrace inner healing. The poems are thought-provoking, inspiring, and emotional. I found myself stopped several times to meditate on the pearls Wendy tucked between the lines.
Stanza 1635
If your sweetness
touched my lips
In an Absolute
Moment,
The vulnerability
Would reveal
To be licked
By the taste of all
Always.
This is a reminder to breathe in the essence of life, to take time to embrace the beauty, suffering, and pain it offers, as well as its immense joy and unfathomable love. Wendy plumbs the depths of human existence and brings fresh understanding to the multifaceted aspects of everyday life.
I highly recommend this book, and I will be reading more written by this author.
April 13, 2024
'"The Ocher of Abundance" is a poetic journey crafted by Wendy E. Slater. It takes the reader on a voyage beyond the ordinary, delving into the uncharted and the nuances of the esoteric. Each poem is meticulously crafted, full of thoughtful insights and rich imagery that captures the mind and ignites the imagination. Slater's words are profound, empathetic, and deeply understanding, akin to discovering a treasure trove of precious gems—some dazzling on the surface, while others, the unspoken truths, are waiting to be unearthed between the lines. Her poetry is infused with positivity and an uplifting spirit that soothes the soul and leaves a sense of abundance long after the final page is turned. 'The Ocher of Abundance' is a testament to Slater's insightful prowess, a collection that enriches and inspires its readers. It celebrates the human spirit, serves as a beacon of hope, and gently reminds us of the beauty within and around us." —Laurie Buchanan, author of the Sean McPherson novels
May 2, 2024
The Ocher of Abundance is a beautiful book, full of rich imagery, that reached right into my heart. Wendy Slater’s poetry is insightful, haunting, and full of courage. Her writing celebrates the journey of life and love with pure faith in the human spirit. The rhythm and sound of her words blend beautifully with that journey. The poems ask that we come to each other in peace, not in judgement, knowing that we all have wounds asking to be healed. Her poems offer that healing. They offer compassion and an invitation to step into a moment of grace. Slaters poems read like healing chants and bring me to another world, a world where strength and weakness have their place, where sadness, grief, joy, and happiness all belong. If you love poetry, read The Ocher of Abundance, and enjoy the vivid, poignant gifts offered in Slater’s poetry.
June 1, 2024
I just finished reading The Ocher of Abundance, another captivating collection of poems by Wendy E. Slater. The author's masterful command of language transforms ordinary words into extraordinary poems, each allowing the reader to explore the complexity of the human condition as well as a tapestry of feelings. I give this book five stars and recommend it to souls who want to immerse themselves in words that speak directly to the depths of their heart.
December 21, 2023
"The proper term for love Is neither word nor phrase, But potential, held and unfurled" - from poem 1651 -
These opening lines to verse 1651 stood out to me the most. Love = potential. I believe that idea to be true. I think there are many nuggets of truth scattered through the authors words. Read slowly. Look for them carful. The perusing is well worth it.
These opening lines to verse 1651 stood out to me the most. Love = potential. I believe that idea to be true. I think there are many nuggets of truth scattered through the authors words. Read slowly. Look for them carful. The perusing is well worth it.
June 11, 2023
Wendy's uniquely spiritual style is both fascinating and intriguing.
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