Barbara Mabry's new collection of poems Realities extends her celebration of life and living beyond the many excellent poems in her 2007 publication, In My Own Voice. This is poetry that is heartfelt, at times heart wrenching - verses that showcase the light and darkness that infiltrates our lives and resides in our hearts, that reflect on the loss of a beloved daughter to Cystic Fibrosis but also on the love and joy of family togetherness, of fun, of being afraid of the steady passage of time while finding courage and being aware and grateful for the miracle of life itself in all its forms. Crafted by a master wordsmith, Mabry's poetry is refreshing, infused with humor and a sense of adventure.