‘Reflections of the HEART In Poetry’: A Little Book To Turn The Lights Back On in The Darkness Of The Current Day

Poet Tony Mangan, one of the most blessed- with-talent persons in my life, is still out there living the American Dream at age 81. So for those who know him, it was no surprise when he published his slim volume of poems, called ‘Reflections of the HEART In Poetry’, that it would come striking at the human heart like the proverbial Cupid’s Bow. Daring to dream big due to the urgings of a mother, whose memory was never to fade, this Cowboy Poet began writing in his heart when still a little boy. Pensive and ever watchful, as a growing lad, he committed every day happenings to memory waiting for the day when he could commit them to poetry. About his mother to whom he dedicated ‘Reflections of the HEART In Poetry’, he wrote: “Without measure, she gave her love, her wisdom, her opinion, her humor, and her unique perspective on life to those who loved her.

“She was the spark who lit the fire within my heart; the spark that could, within an instant, create the passion to learn a new and exciting skill, from riding a horse to creating poetry. “Among the countless things I learned at her knee was the joy of discovery. “She read to me as far back as I can remember, whenever she could make the time, until I was able to read for myself. “She often worked nights, but still read to me when she returned home in the morning. “Her spark is still with me.” Poems of the boy who grew up writing in his heart are sometimes whimsical, sometimes soul-touching, well seasoned with humor and always evocative, evocative of better days in better eras when love and loyalty held struggling families together, no matter how spare the pantry or larder. Poems that are gems in ‘Reflections of the HEART In Poetry’ come from the deft pen of someone who could always see the whimsical side of life that puts on display the so often humorous side of human nature; sparks waiting to be rekindled. The first line in the description of himself on the fly leaf of ‘Reflections of the HEART In Poetry’, tells a story of living the American Dream back in a day that so many of us wish were still here or yet to come again: “Tony Mangan was fortunate to have been born after the Great Depression”, he wrote. Though he was left fatherless when he was just three months old, the changes that took place in his then-present and future life to him seemed normal. However, his mother and two sisters suffered the devastating trauma of the sudden death of their husband and father. For them life would be forever altered, never again familiar The three of them were strong and industrious.

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“The little family moved to Brooklyn and into the busy home of Tony’s widowed maternal grandmother. The environment was that of a typical New York Italian family: boisterous, loving and sometime contentious, but warm, affectionate and fiercely loyal…as was the standard of that ethnic lifestyle of the era. “To the young family the comings and goings through the following years were like a cabaret filled with laughter, disagreements, the playing of musical instruments , singing and living the ever-changing exuberant lifestyle of the times, including the recovery from World War 11 and navigating the ever-expanding city, with unlimited opportunities. “Since the household was matriarchal, Tony was somewhat pampered. But left to his own designs, he was inquisitive and always ready for a challenge. “At age 14, he developed a strong desire o ride a horse and began reading everything that was available about riding techniques and instruction. When he considered himself to be ready, he wandered over to the stables at Prospect Park where a young boy could rent a horse for $1.50 an hour. The money was saved and in his pocket. The Stable master asked whether Tony knew how to ride, which prompted Tony to hop on the back of “Major” and do his best impression of an equestrian. Ah…success! Off he went out into the traffic, head held high the realization of his dream. “This feat was the beginning of a life-long desire to own horses and his own ranch. At age 65, he did indeed achieve this dream. Today, at age 81, he cares for his horses on his small ranch, hops up onto the saddle, and once again, the dream is alive in his heart.” When this poet writes about the Almighty’s noble creature, the horse, readers are transported from the pages of a book, out onto the riding trails where they can imagine a gentle breeze blowing the mare’s mane. Writing about ‘Horse Heaven’ can be found on page 106:

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Horse Heaven

“When horses go to heaven What do they find there? Abundant lush green pastures Growing in the air. Saddles made of angel dust, And cowboys light as clouds; Murmurings of angels’ music, never ever loud. Bubbling streams so cool and flowing, Past lazy hungry cattle, lowing; Mountain flowers blue and yellow, Equine baby songs, sung soft and mellow. Flies are in a distant nation, Miles from God’s great horse plantation. Bright sunshine, far up in the sky Starts a warm breeze blowing. Evening sunlit snowcapped mountains Keep the Welcome lights glowing.” But the Cowboy Poet’s deft pen captures much more than horses immortalized in poems, for the reader every one of them like coming upon a gem. Just as the “Evening sunlit snowcapped mountains Keep the Welcome lights glowing”, ‘Reflections of the HEART In Poetry’ by Tony Mangan is destined to reset the lights glowing in your heart in the dark and worrisome times of our day. ‘Reflections Of The HEART In Poetry’: • Publisher: AuthorHouse • Language: English • Hardcover: 144 pages • AuthorHouse: • Softcover: 13.99 • Hardcover: 26.99 • E-Book: 3.99 Available on Amazon