2024 NAIWE Poetry Book Winner
Words Left UnspokenAuthor: J.A. McGovern
Words are an important part of communication, but there are many more thoughts in a person’s head than words that are spoken by that person. Poet J.A. McGovern gives words to many of these thoughts in Words Left Unspoken.
He sat rocking in his green chair,
When he was eleven
Making wishes his father’s soul
Would end in heaven.
J.A. McGovern captures these thoughts so they will not be lost. Like most poetry, this book is not to be read in one sitting. Rather, a reader can sit and savor a poem or two a day, contemplating their own thoughts that they have not put to words.
He sat rocking in his green chair,
When he was forty
Watching his sons and daughters grow
While working.
Words Left Unspoken covers many topics throughout the poems. In looking at the variety, the reader can see the life of the poet as it has passed among the passage of time in writing these poems. Even the transition between the two thoughts shows the maturity of the poet, from moments simply being thoughts to moments becoming memories.
He sat rocking in his green chair,
When he was sixty-five
Standing above her grave, realizing
He barely knew her, when she was alive.
In part 2 of Words Left Unspoken, J.A. McGovern captures memories through the haiku poetic form. In these poems, the memories shared are very visual. J.A. McGovern describes the simple everyday items that many people would leave as unspoken thoughts passing by.
He sat rocking in his green chair,
When he was ninety-nine
Wondering –
How life passed by…
Congratulations, J.A. McGovern’s Words Left Unspoken for being a NAIWE 2024 Book Award winner!
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