What a beautiful little tome I am glad to have read. The title alone of this book drew me in.
What do I enjoy about this book?
- I enjoy that its written as two stories in one, for me. I loved reading about Fern's journey in life, her accomplishment and life changes. Further, I loved the letters and then the poems on top of it to add depth and whimsy to the book. I love, love loved these beautiful poems. It reads like a adulation or homage to spring, to nature, to Fern's home. I found them all so beautiful.
This is a short read, but it packs so much human emotion and depth of moments in its short pages. I can feel how much respect Fern's family had for her, how much love she had for her home and her life. Oh, to be cared for so much by others!
A gift in writing.

Por mas que capture la belleza y toda la bola, fue un poemario demasiado tedioso. Fue demasiado largo al pedo, podra haber escrito algo muchisimo mejor

In the Prologue to Songs from Fern’s Pond, Sheryl Pothier Harmer opens a sensitive and celebratory tribute with the beautiful sentence, ‘Her name was Fern and she was my mother.’ She was a remarkable woman.
Fern was born in 1913 to a family who were like many at the time, just scraping by, she putting herself through nursing school, married and raised four children.
After thirty-three years of happy married life, her husband Oscar passed away, leaving her bereft, but also realising she now had time to begin again for the final chapters of her life.
She sold the family home and bought a piece land where she established the home of her dreams and began a new life in a new community, one where she grew her own vegetables, raised chickens, developed her passion for art and weaving, wrote avidly to family and friends of her life and the many fascinating and challenging things of her daily existence.
Songs from Ferns Pond is a collection of poetry written by Sheryl often in reply to a letter from her mother or simply as a means of expressing the deep love she had for a remarkable and forthright woman; her mother.
As the many stories unfold telling a story of renewal and rebirth, the simple joy in spending time at the edge of the pond with the ducks, the challenge of creating the stained glasswork for a new door and the love of community that developed over the 14 years she lived on the banks of the Snake River
The final chapter of her rich and well lived life is played out in a somewhat prosaic manner in the final letters written to family, followed by the tragedy of a devastating fire, with December finally seeing new life retuning to Fern’s Pond; ducks returning, and the hope that the seeds falling into the almost frozen earth will once again blossom in the Spring weather.
Songs from Fern’s Pond is a most eloquent tribute from a daughter to her beloved mother and is an absolute joy to read.

Songs from Fern’s Pond captures the beauty of nature and simplistic living. Through a heartfelt collection of poetry, letters, and prose you experience Fern’s journey. The collection explores themes of resilience, family, and embracing new beginnings. Everything about songs from Fern’s Pond was beautiful and had so much emotional depth.
Thank you netgalley and Girl Friday Productions for this arc.