In Good Pastures: A Place to Feel Ones [sic] Deepest Heartaches, a collection of forty-three short poems, Sylvia Anne Pollard writes about both her early and recent life ordeals and the ways that loss spills into the rest of her life. Her dedication is to both her deceased and her living daughter, and she credits them for leading her through grief and revealing God’s grace to her.  

“The root of bitterness tries to grow,

Anxiously awaiting my watering tears.”

– from “The Whirlwind”

Readers will take comfort between the pages of Pollard’s collection. Frequently, Good Pastures reads like a devotional when the author couples her poems with relevant scripture. The effect is two-fold–not only to clarify the meaning of the poem but to show that even in periods of despair, there is a promise of hope through faith and leaning on the Lord. For example, in “A Thank You to My Mind,” Pollard shows her reliance on her inner self until she’s able to hear God’s calling to give her troubles to Him.

“Escape is only for a moment –

But resolve? It’s for a lifetime.” 

– from the opening poem, “Good Pastures”

Many of us have experienced grief either personally or through others, so the poems will surely evoke empathy and sympathy. Most importantly, Pollard’s words remind us that any manner of feelings—rage, sorrow, sarcasm, and even numbness—are valid reactions to pain and loss. This validation, along with permission for each of us to define our own way of grieving, is what makes Good Pastures impactful.

“For each new day has a light…

A light hastening to be hidden.

Keep it bright, keep it lit,

Find it in each new morning.”

– from “A Morning Routine”

Overall, Pollard leaves readers with a message of hope and the importance of resolving to heal, persevering to achieve it, and giving oneself grace through the process. Habits and routines are clearly helpful to the author. ““My” Coffee” and “My Happy Place” remind readers that a warm beverage, Snickers bar, or even a BLT sandwich can be legitimate sources of comfort. “The Fallen Petal” delivers a powerful message about how the slightest “gray” thought or action can taint the glory of Jesus’ gift given to each of us, emphasizing the need to stay in His light. 

Good Pastures would greatly benefit from additional editing, which could elevate the collection to the next level of excellence. However, given the topic and its target audience, a polished product is less important than creating a space where readers feel seen and understood. The heartfelt messages in Good Pastures will resonate with readers, reminding them they are not alone in navigating the hardships of life and death.