"My mama always said that I was a baby with a purpose..."
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The Soul of a Woman through Joy and Pain by Anitra M. Scott Trafford Publishing
book review by Michael Radon
Chronicling nearly six years of poetry, Anitra M. Scott's The Soul of a Woman through Joy and Pain tells an almost autobiographical story of the events that occurred in her lifetime, including a near-death experience that inspired her to write in the first place and how that shaped her attitude going forward. Beginning with her birth, Scott writes about love, death, natural disasters, crime, faith, and more, including photos that represent the key themes of that section or give readers a better look into the moments that were special to the author. The author focuses mostly on personal experiences and viewpoints on these subjects, stating that her intention in doing so is to show people that they may not feel alone when they are going through equally difficult times.
The inclusion of a date when each poem was written and a collection of photos make Scott's poetic journey that much more personal. When her story of nearly passing on after the events of Hurricane Katrina are revealed, it punctuates her poems about loss of life and understanding God's plan for her, and the reader by proxy. In total, the book collects twenty-two poems, grouped into sections of two or three that reflect and investigate a common theme. Many people suggest writing as a means of catharsis when going through strong emotional times, but Scott takes it a step further, sharing her life on the page in the hopes of helping others find a kindred spirit and the strength to continue to live as she has done.