Ruth Dombrow is a painter, potter, poet, and clinical psychologist.

By
Kathryn Magendie, Writer, editor (Western North Carolina)

(To read an interview of Ruth by Kathryn Magendie, click here)

(First printed in Rose & Thorn Literary Ezine)

IN THE BELLY OF THE MOON
By Ruth Dombrow
OutskirtsPress.com

RUTH DOMBROW's IN THE BELLY OF THE MOON, a selection of original artwork and poetry, caught my attention at once with its captivating title and bold cover art in variations of greens, yellows, and the predominant raging reds, perfect for the words contained within.

Each poem is presented by her art work, which at first glance seems chaotic and wild, then the eye takes in the detail, the perfect placement of line, image, color, and hidden meaning. Her art and poetry cradles the unsaid, but more often celebrates the blatantly blunt message. Bold, rageful, the unsettled work of one who opens up wounds and explores them, bleeding out poison, and then leaving the edges jagged so they can not be forgotten by time and circumstance.

Dombrow's poetry reveals family: father mother daughter grandmother, grandfather, and the title poem IN THE BELLY OF THE MOON--Light shears off a comet, sails through the fiery sky, a glimmer of Venus in the armpit of Mars--is ethereally beautiful, yet there are meanings hidden in the belly of the poem which one reads, and then reads again, letting the words settle on the skin until absorbed. Then, there are those who hover peripherally, but importantly, in the poet's life, as in FLIRTING WITH INFINITY--With his dark mustache and easy smile, he reveals more and more of what she aches to know--beckoning the reader into an understanding with the poet about relationships. Feelings of accepted loss and love, or loss because of love, continue throughout her work.

Poignantly aware, achingly sweet, tragically blunt, and sadly born, Ms. Dombrow's book of art and poetry will linger far after the last page is turned.

Triumph!

By Henry Grinberg -

Ruth Dombrow's IN THE BELLY OF THE MOON is a remarkably successful fusion of poignant but powerful verse and an exciting selection of her equally vivid collages. The poetry is a finely and accurately rendered record of triumph over pain and betrayal. The pictures, to my mind, record this triumph in exuberant design and color.

Sensual Pleasure!

By
Lenore Migdal -

Dombrow's beautiful book is replete with vibrant, beautiful, abstract collages, each one on a page that seems to reflect, in some way, the astounding poem on its facing page. The poems reach deep into the heart, evocative of loss, love, life, pain and joy. Her use of language is extraordinary. A lovely book to peruse, or read through; a wonderful gift; a book to leave out on the coffee table or on your night table to read and re-read.

This book is truly lovely.

By Melissa -

An intimate reflection on the poet's life, from what seems to have been a very difficult childhood to a contented present. Illustrated by beautiful collages and paintings by the author, who is an accomplished visual artist and psychologist as well as a poet. This is truly a lovely book.