Anntonette Jackson's Trees & Truths is a collection of poetry centered on the themes of nature, the polarity of truth and lies, and the complex question of what it means to be human. This poetry collection is a relatively easy read on the surface, but to get the most out of it requires much contemplation by the reader. Jackson includes at the end of each of her poems a bulleted commentary that seems aimed at helping the reader by guiding their thoughts and interpretations. It's a unique inclusion that I haven't seen before.
The artwork by Milena Protti accompanies several of the poems, breathing more life into the poems and the book overall. I felt that the artwork was too small on the page, and wished not only that it was bigger, but that there was more artwork to enjoy. However, the finished publication is still a fantastic piece of art that combines the written word and illustration together beautifully.
Personally, I am fairly picky with poetry, but fortunately I loved Trees & Truths because it was a poetic conversation on subjects we all could do to think more about. Many of the poems talk about nature and how humanity has affected the lives of trees. Several poems also touch on our relationship with truth and lies, that being true to ourselves is the most important thing we can do for ourselves. A majority of the poems in this collection touch on more than just one theme, which adds to the impressive depth of these short poems.
I read Trees & Truths in chunks over the course of a single workday. The reflection on truth, lies, and trees felt repetitive when reading several poems in a row, but when I could sit for a few moments and think about a particular poem or a certain line or phrase, it became a profound experience. Trees & Truths is a collection I know for a fact that I will revisit many times as I learn to understand myself and my relationship with nature.
Reviewed on Reedsy