Kicking Leaves Barefoot: And Other Heart Times
By F. William Broome

A Book Review


Kicking Leaves Barefoot is, in a word, excellent.
It is a lovely and lively collection of slices of life from our past, which are both entertaining and instructive.
Mr. Broome’s style is professional but not obtuse. The poetry in this book is an easy, comforting read, rather like sitting before a fireplace on a winter’s day, sipping hot, rich chocolate…or kicking back in the shade of the porch, with a glass of Southern Comfort on the rocks.
Bill, as his friends call him (and I am honored to be one of those), is a veteran of WW2 and lives in Northern Georgia with his wife of 60 plus years, Trulie.
His verse is drawn from his life experiences, which include a major economic depression, a world war and two long business careers. It is these experiences, plus a natural gift for words that makes his writings so deeply rich. Bill blends humor, sharp imagery, sensuality and candidness into a smooth and delightful mix.
In many respects, paging through Kicking Leaves Barefoot is like thumbing through a grandparent or great grandparents scrapbook…clippings of news events, photo’s of the times, sepia portraits…it is both a book of poetry and history. Frankly, it would make a fine addition to the reading list for both English Literature and American History classes.
Copies of Kicking Leaves Barefoot can be obtained directly from the author. He can be contacted at talespinner.alltel.net

© ewrichardson, 2004