Katie Marshall - Tears Against the Windowpane

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Tears Against the Windowpane is a series of poems dedicated to the struggle of life and the will to continue regardless of the obstacles. There are poems about life, love, and discovering one's self in a collection that will leave tears on your pillow and hope in your heart.

Cupid Addiction

This is a woman's painful prayer to the sweet Cherub, who fills my mind with lies of honey lips and the smell of you lingering on my skin, who with one swift pull, aims his bow straight at my heart and tears into my flesh, knocking me into a crazed stupor of sweet intoxication as you become my favorite drug. As my thrill reaches its peak, the arrow twists into my chest and the happy little Cherub laughs, hole boring my heart. Sweet Cherubim, hear my plea of a woman lost in love, lost in the idea of his kiss, his touch, his whisper in my ear, a woman, broken and dependent, who you, Cherub, have made your biggest fool. Torture someone else with your illusion of ambrosia and let a poor, aching soul rest before love turns to ash on my tongue.

Editorial Reviews:

Reviewed By Sarah Stuart for Readers’ Favorite

Tears Against the Windowpane opens with The Park, but the second poem, For Samie, is a requiem. It takes only four four-line verses to express the innocence of the girl, Samie, tragically killed whilst driving at only twenty-one. Moving and beautiful, it led me on into a treasure trove of Katie Marshall’s freestyle poetry. It is unusual, and a delight, to find a collection that did not consist mainly of three lines and a title. These are poems that explore the subject rather than leaving the reader to guess or imagine their own scenario. It took me a while to read Why I Live in Maine because it was so vivid that I felt I was there too, and it was only when I awoke from the dream to turn a page, I remembered the long-ago visit it echoed.

The Death of Forever is one of the shorter poems in this compilation, more succinct than the rest, but anyone who has ever lost a lover to another will understand its meaning. Thinking of You that follows is about a long, heartfelt, hidden tragedy. The Scream shows a new aspect of Edward Munch’s revolutionary expressionist painting. Music called to me; “true music is found in the soul”. Do I have a favorite amongst so many? I do, and it is Finding God, although Phoenix Love comes a close second. Tears Against the Windowpane by Katie Marshall is a gift to poetry lovers worldwide who enjoy exploring facets of happiness and tragedy.

Reviewed By K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite

Tears Against the Windowpane is a collection of poetry in the self-discovery, introspective and emotive sub-genres, and was penned by author Katie M. Marshall. The work is intended for the mature reading audience and discusses themes that are both personal to the author and appealing to the general audience, such as the ongoing struggle of life and overcoming obstacles. Some of the works also touch on love and relationship themes, both positive and negative associations of such, and the ongoing process of learning and growing as a person when these trials and tribulations hit us. What results is a highly engrossing collection that is sure to keep readers turning pages from cover to cover.

Author Katie M. Marshall has crafted a well-curated journey of beautiful words and ideas, with plenty of cathartic experiences and relatable concepts to offer her readers. Even from the earliest pages the author’s talent for brevity that makes a lasting impact is evident, in simple phrasing and bold images which speak directly to the soul. From faith to love, heartbreak, and back to hope again, this narrative journey explores different poetic forms as well as every facet of the human experience and therefore offers something for everyone amongst its pages. Personal favorites that spoke to me include ‘Desdemona’s Dance’ and ‘The Little Jars’, both for their raw emotion and clever allusions. Overall, I would highly recommend Tears Against the Windowpane to fans of inspiring wordplay, honest and emotive lyricism, and poetry enthusiasts everywhere.

Reviewed By Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers’ Favorite

Life is hard work. We struggle on a daily basis to make it through, to help one another, to find purpose in our lives, to recover from illness or grief. But there are some places of comfort, elements of nature that become symbolic of what is good and meaningful in life. Water, so symbolic of cleansing and moving on with unrelenting force, following its purposeful direction, can become a balm to our souls. “Sounds of waves crashing shore,/ knock me out of my trance./ I quietly listen to the loud roar,/ as the crest begins to dance.” I love the feeling evoked in these words: the sound of the water and the way it can dance in its progress to places unknown. And, there is symbolism in what grows around us: “Some days I nod off listening/ to the symbolism of pear trees.” But, in the end, what does all this symbolism mean? How does it help us navigate the pitfalls and obstacles of life? “My tongue bends into knots/ as I become another shadow/ in the dance, wandering among/ the other lonely children:/ struggling to find a form/ struggling to find an identity/ struggling to find my voice.”

Katie M Marshall’s chapbook, Tears Against the Windowpane, is a complex look at life through verse. Her collection of poetry explores the many aspects of life, the good parts like love and enjoying the beauty around us, and the sad parts, the grief of losing a loved one. Then there’s the oft-repeated quest of trying to understand the meaning of life and finding oneself in this complex mesh of living. The poems are full of compassion, symbolism and vitality. It will leave the reader crying, but also it will fill them with hope. Powerful words.

Amazon Reviews:

I recommend it to anyone

September 4, 2014

The poems in this poetry book are both raw and real. I recommend it to anyone!

A Delightful Read!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 November 2020

I thoroughly enjoyed the thought-provoking nature of this collection and absolutely love poems that allow me see things from the author’s side; whether it’s loss, heartbreak insecurity or casual observations.

In “Winter” Katie writes : “I was born in this nothingess and as I gasped for my first breath my mother taught me to believe in miracles, to find hope in the nothingness...” This, I had to re-read several times.

In “Why I live in Maine” Katie paints her hometown in a most attractive way- a great skill.

Overall, a rich collection of poetry that depicts every emotion and beautifully explores many experiences. Quite enjoyable!

Unforgettable and Refreshingly Real Writing

Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2021

Tears Against the Windowpane is another great collection I've read by Author Katie M. Marshall. Strong in detail, these poems place an emphasis on the sometimes bitter taste of acceptance as well as the utterly simple beauty in a place that has always belonged to you. As the title would suggest, many of these poems speak to overcoming the greatest heartbreaks of this life, death and loss. Some of my favorites are: "Why I Live In Maine," "Music," "For My Sister" and "Finding God." This is an unforgettable collection that conveys emotions I believe many will undoubtedly relate to.