Manna for the Hungry by Linda Perry McCarthy

Poetry has long been linked to spirituality and religion, and Linda Perry McCarthy carries on that proud tradition with Manna for the Hungry, a subtle and powerful collection of her message-laden poetry. Set within the framework of our fast-paced modern lives, in which religious fervor is beginning to wane across the world, McCarthy blends a love of nature and a deep belief in God’s love with a whimsical voice and uniquely memorable verse.

Whether she is exploring the nature of her own dreams or the peaceful switch between seasons, the connections she makes between lived experience and spiritual satisfaction are powerful. Without veering into proselytizing, these poems are celebrations of small beauties and examinations of our interior worlds. Finding a balance between personal revelations and macrocosmic ideas, every poem has the potential to delight, surprise and demand a second read.

In “The Kids Come Out to Play,” McCarthy delves into her varied personalities and the different facets of her heart, but she does so with the sing-song simplicity of Shel Silverstein. In “The Woman Forgotten,” the pain of aging and growing distance between family is juxtaposed to the permanent closeness the poet feels with God. Many of the poems read like mantras, or psalms, but the variance in form and meter gives every new page a different tone.

Some of the poems stumble in their technical accuracy, such as correct syllabic numbers and slant rhymes, but these occasional cut corners can be forgiven. Additionally, there is some repetition in the rhymes, and McCarthy could flex her vocabulary muscles a bit more. As a whole, this is a revealing dive into the heart and beliefs of a visionary poet, making Manna for the Hungry a unique, challenging and inspiring read, regardless of your individual beliefs.