Mary Jedlicka Humston’s poetry has been published through the years, but this is the first collection of her own poems.

In the World of Poetry–an eclectic collection

This eclectic collection from Mary Jedlicka Humston offers a multitude of emotions, from joy to loss, longing and love, hope and despair … even poetry from the early time of covid where indecision and confusion clouded our futures. The variety of topics, styles, and emotions is sure to touch your soul. Like rhyme? Haiku? Free verse? It’s all included.

My Thoughts

In the world of poetry:  an eclectic collection drew me in, from the humble puddle in the first winsome poem to the precious sharing of M&Ms under the oak in the last one. Mary Jedlicka Humston deftly captures the fleeting years of motherhood in “Untitled.” In poems of facing life with courage and grace, her wit and irresistible sense of humor are so welcome. She finds joy in the everyday, molding thoughts and emotions, honing words into blessings, offering gratitude and hope. What a refreshing and courageous collection to savor again and again.

I was especially impacted by that new name on a farmstead mailbox, “When Iris Eyes Are Shining,” the blessing of that “Healing Glue,” and the “rickracky apron.” The poet deftly captured the fleeting years of motherhood in “Untitled.” Her irresistible sense of humor is so welcome.

Even in poems written during COVID and when overwhelmed by health challenges, Mary’s words offer gratitude and hope. “Aging in Place” in Self Reflections is honest and upbeat, “grateful for the gritty, grace-filled life.” And one called “The Wave,” capturing the emotional tradition at the University of Iowa of spectators and football teams waving during a home game to children in the nearby University of Iowa Children’s Hospital. 

Mary Jedlicka Humston 

An author and speaker, Mary’s poetry and essays have been widely published locally and nationally. She has won numerous poetry awards. She’s had a poem published every year since 2005 in the Iowa Poetry Association’s Lyrical Iowa. Thirty poems were published in past years in the Iowa City Press-Citizen newspaper. Another poem was displayed on the 2014 Krakow Wall of Poetry in conjunction with the Krakow UNESCO City of Literature. She coauthored Mary & Me: A Lasting Link Through Ink with Mary Potter Kenyon. 

Here’s where to find her new book. Her daughter designed the gorgeous cover!

Or Amazon.uk

Find her on her Facebook Author Page, www.facebook.com/maryjedlickahumston

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Mary is a regular presenter at the Cedar Falls Christian Writers Conference, which is where I met her several years ago. I’ve enjoyed her workshops on various types of poetry, and she has such a resilient and generous personality. Her neighbors have enjoyed her chalk greetings on their sidewalk (and Facebook followers as well), and I’ve been so blessed by her generosity with my Leora trilogy! Here’s an earlier post about Mary.