“As you read each word, it pulls you in and touches your heart and soul. Beautiful words and pictures to captivate everyone. A must-read!!”
— Diane Lucius-Reedy, Reader
★★★★★
“After contemplating how to describe these poems written by Silas Fen, the only thing that I can say is that they are indescribable! They spoke to my soul and heart! I literally could feel each emotion and the way the poet was speaking! I can't imagine not having these in my library! They truly are fantabulous!”
— Vicky Siegle Gustafson, Reader
★★★★
“The poems of Silas Fen are very good in quality, information, and tone. His poetry held my interest throughout and presented its message in a clear fashion. Youth through seniors would enjoy and benefit from reading this collection.”
— IBPA Book Awards, Judge 1
★★★★★
“Fen takes the reader on a thoughtful journey through the universal "highs and lows and ups and downs" of life focusing on the enduring themes of love, nature, heartbreak, detachment, hope and healing. Each poem is accompanied by an extraordinary graphic adding a visual layer that beautifully complements the text. Silas Fen has established himself as a voice to watch.”
— Tish Wilson, Reader
★★★★★
“There is a quiet charm in the way the collection bridges the gap between visual art and poetic expression. The paintings, with their fantastical and spiritual tones, offer a counterpoint to the repetitive verses. One cannot help but be drawn to the art, as it frequently provides a more immediate emotional connection. This interplay between image and text creates a layered experience, leaving the poetic narrative feeling somewhat muted. There is room to ponder whether a more varied poetic form might have allowed the inner voice to emerge with greater clarity. The uniformity in structure gives the collection a sense of cohesion, yet it also suggests there might be hidden depths waiting to be explored through less repetitive means.”
— IBPA Book Awards, Judge 2
★★★★★
“Thought-provoking. Captured the feelings of not only his life, but you will see yourself in some of these poems as I did.”
— Pat Lucius, Reader
★★★★★
“Awe-inspiring, heartfelt, beautiful, touching and captivating are a few words to describe Silas's writing talent. You can feel the love, joy, sorrow and pain in these beautifully written poems, that draw you in. His talent is enhanced with his choice of illustrations that complement each poem beautifully.”
— Donna Poignon, Reader
★★★★★
“First, I want to thank you for having the bravery to share your work with the world! The images you chose are stunning and complement the poetry so nicely. I lovethat the poetry is so hopeful, even when coming from places of sorrow or despair. It's a joyous collection overall and I thank you for sharing it.”
— IBPA Book Awards, Judge 3
★★★★★
“The visuals provide a fresh perspective on the same poem, enhancing the emotional depth and thematic richness. Each illustration complements the text beautifully, allowing for a more profound appreciation of the words.”
— Clarice Turner, Reader
★★★★★
“Poignant, heartfelt and moving. Beautifully written”
— LuAnn Wosick, Reader
★★★★★
“There is a quiet charm in the way the collection bridges the gap between visual art and poetic expression. The paintings, with their fantastical and spiritual tones, offer a counterpoint to the repetitive verses. One cannot help but be drawn to the art, as it frequently provides a more immediate emotional connection.”
— IBPA Book Awards, Judge 4
★★★★★
“Each poem is accompanied by stunning images that provide a visual context, enriching the reader's understanding and interpretation.”
— Brian Moten, Reader
★★★★★
“These poems were amazing, with especially raw and honest examples in the love section. Although the poems are vastly different, they were all beautifully written. Overall, a very lovely example of poetry that spans multiple topics.”
— IBPA Book Awards, Judge 5
Rustic Embers
A quiet letter, now and then.
New poems, visual reflections, and the occasional journal note. No algorithms, no schedule — letters arrive when there are words worth sharing.
The Work
Words grown from the ground up.
Echoes of Emotions
In the quiet shadows of the soul, Pain and sorrow often take their toll. I seek refuge, a place to hide, The aching heart that won’t subside.
The world outside sings its merry song, But within, the notes feel so wrong. A plea to silence the heart's deep plea, To break the chains and simply be free.
Yet in silence, a glimmer appears, A whisper of hope, calming my fears. For even in darkness, a path can show, A way to find light and let the pain go.
The earth may break, but still we stand, Roots buried deep within the stone. Life whispers through this shattered land, Enduring trials we face alone.
The skin of rock, it bends, it tears, Yet nature breathes through every crack. From broken ground, the tree still dares, To rise, to push the darkness back.
Silent faces carved in strife, Hold secrets of the winds they braved. In every mark, there blooms new life, Through fractures, the world is saved.
When I cross the wild, beneath the sky so wide, Where rivers whisper and grasses softly sigh. Each step leads to realms unseen, In lands where time and nature convene.
Through forests deep, where shadows play, Sunlight filters in a fleeting display. Ancient trees stand tall and wise, Holding earth’s secrets under endless skies.
Across the bridge where past meets now, Echoes of footsteps linger somehow. It spans a chasm, waters roar, A gateway to what came before.
Only strong hearts, bound as one, Indian and his steed, beneath the sun. With courage shared, their bond is rare, Together they face the world with care.
Across the plains, they ride with pride, Side by side, through challenges wide. In the wild where dreams take flight, Their spirits soar, shining bright.
Together they roam, a story told, In legends bold, their journey unfolds. Through trials endured, they never wane, A blazing bond, free from pain.
Silas Fen writes from Santa Fe and the wider West, shaping poetry and visual work from reflection, lived experience, and the moments most people overlook. The fuller story behind Silas Fen — The Rustic Poet begins on the About page.
