Point to Counterpoint offers compelling, sometimes deeply personal, experiences as it wanders through a journey from birth to death, beginnings to endings, Alpha to Omega in poems, reflections, inspiration and Eros; experiences of life, love, passion, obsession, depression and transcendence. The book suggests sometimes countering perspectives on these. Such contrasts are even found within some of the individual poems and essays. This book is premised on the notion that ‘every beginning contains the seeds and signs of its own ending.’

Point to Counterpoint is a singular achievement in poetic expression; quite extraordinary in conception and execution. It is not just another book of poetry. This compilation of poems, reflections and inspirations will take readers on a journey of beginnings and endings, from birth to death and various points in between. It offers a smorgasbord of perspectives and experiences from which readers can choose. Mel has dared to create something that differentiates itself - in structure and premise - from other collections of poems I have read over decades.

Poetry is a very personal thing, both in the writing and reading. What Mel has crafted is worth spending time with. You can choose to read some or all of the poems and/or contemplate the reflections, lyrics and ‘Food for Thought’ presented throughout. Each of us brings our own appetite when engaging with a book, sifting through our preferences - sort of like panning for gold nuggets. Readers will find many such gems in this unique contribution to poetic literature.

The organizing principle allows readers to easily enter, engage and appreciate, any of the eleven chapters without prior reading of previous chapters. Readers, rather than reading sequentially, may prefer to enter a topic of immediate interest such as ‘Parenting’, ‘Love’, ‘Sexuality and Erotic Awakenings’, ‘Colors and Emotions’, ‘Hope and Inspiration’, ‘Gifts of Nature’, ‘Existential Moments’, ‘Growing Old’, or ‘Dying and Death’.

The evocative language, kindness of tone and format of content blend artfully together, delivering a thought-provoking volume.

Mel’s book offers a plethora of feelings and meditations, often presented with alternative perspectives. The chapter introductions lure readers in and then let them feel and think about what has been said. The finished product emerges as the poetic art of its creator.

This colorful compilation invites the reader on a journey; carving and painting a space for discoveries in sometimes mystical and transcendent expressions, compelling us to lean in, to marvel at, and revel in the cracks and crevices that leave an indelible mark as the years stretch and expand, and wisdom and light that is garnered through love and loss, seeps in.