A couple months ago I interviewed the author Cody Roach about his creative process for my blog. Well now I am happy to announce that tomorrow Saturday 20th January 2024, Cody will release his second publication; “Thoughts from a Sunflower”. I am honoured to have been asked by Cody to write a pre-release review after being sent an advance reading copy by him.
Roach takes you through a personal journey in his second publication “Thoughts of a Sunflower”. Containing not just free verse poetry, but words of wisdom; the book covers his personal experience of his relationship with “Marigold” through the use of seasons. What makes this publication unique, is the alternative insight Roach gives through paragraphs, quotations and letters, giving the reader a fresh perspective. With recurrent themes, relatable feelings and a clear story-line, the collection is easy to follow and even easier to empathise with. The question you may ask yourself, as I did, is: Are all the different modes of delivery too much? Personally, I felt some of these extra’s deflated the mystery ( e.g. Surrendering Page 101), however some really challenged me to see the work through a different lens as intended and added value to the words gone before ( e.g. Sunflowers Destiny Page 90). As a review is only a matter of opinion based on an individual’s taste; I urge you to buy, read and then make your own assumptions on Roach’s second publication.
My favourite(s) from from each season
Chess of hearts:The Dance (Page 18 Summer)/Ascensionism (Page 21 Summer)
Fruit of the Serpent (Page 67 Autumn)/ Checkmate ( Page 74 Autumn)
Painless (Page 116 Winter)
Faith (Page 157 Spring) /Grateful ( Page 184 Spring)
You can purchase “Thoughts from a Sunflower“ on Apple and Amazon.
And of course check out his website and Instagram.
Megan Layley 
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