Rochelle Holt

From Dusk to Dawn: a True Story Rochelle Holt

In these poignant poems, the author as survivor unconsciously experiences the natural stages of grief defined by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross: anger, denial, sadness and acceptance. In addition, Holt offers a fifth stage referred to as questing. The poems are not separated into individual categories in the same way any survivor may simultaneously feel anger, denial, doubt, sadness and even acceptance of the passing of a beloved one. Holt, already a believer in the philosophy that the spirit never dies, found even greater corroboration of her beliefs in synchronous reading: Dr. Jane Greer's The Afterlife Connection and Gary R. Renard's The Disappearance Of The Universe. Trans-communication with a loved one is possible and indeed even comforting and healing. However, initially, one must enter the tunnel before seeing the light which is why the collection is titled From Dusk To Dawn. Not only does the spirit leave earth for a new and brighter beginning, but the one left behind eventually comes to realize that the darkness of mourning will become as transparent as sunrise when the survivor is able to connect with the spirit of the beloved."Valley Of The Shadows & Surrender, a novel duet (iUniverse 2004) reveals not only the struggles of a painter but of all humanity as the author unravels desires, dreams, hopes, hidden protectively within the psyche. Holt's writing is an avalanche of images and magic Her poem-novels share the anguish of the survivor in a long-term relationship which is ongoing but can be viewed in a creative and purposeful light."-Lili Bita