Rating: 
Summary: A book of beautiful poems
Review: "Heartsongs" is not a very long book, but it is a book that will touch your heart. Mattie Stepanek was only eleven years old when he wrote "Heartsongs", and he has endured much pain and grief in his short life. He has seen three of his siblings pass away from a rare form of muscular dystrophy, and he suffers from the same condition. Echoes of Mattie's pain can be found in some of his poems, but they are mainly dominated by a sense of love for everything in the universe and a deep desire for world peace. Mattie wants to be a peacemaker, and his poems are filled with peace and childhood wonder. Sometimes the deepest wisdom comes from children, and that is very true about this beautiful book of poems. This book leaves you with the thought that beauty is in the eye of the beholder; and in the heart of hearts.
Rating:
Summary: Please keep in context
Review: Honestly...all of those who want to place poets in a general "poetry" category. Poetry is not a race to place one person at the top of a long list of other poets he or she supercede. Anyone who believes in qualifying great writers that easily is not a student of literature.
To try and compare Mattie Stepanek to Sylvia Plath (or Sharon OLDS) is to try and compare Mattie's life to Sylvia's or Sharon's. Or to Shakespeare's. Motivations, inspirations, era, context...all alter the development of a writing style. Great works are determined not by comparing works line by line, but by gathering all elements of the writer's life and placing them within context of what the writer composed. At 13, Mattie had composed thousands of poems, and passed away after living his life, though burdened, to the fullest extent. At 13, Sylvia Plath was beginning her foray into writing that would haunt and torture her to her suicidal death.
Mattie WAS an amazing writer--his style is simple, yet evocative, and sometimes brutally honest. He doesn't mince words or disguise his hope or hurt with difficult metaphor. Burdened by a disease that made writing--nay, LIVING--difficult, he confronted it with a passion exemplified in his writings. Can you compare him to Shakespeare, Byron, Yeats? In some ways yes--his life influenced his art--in some ways no--he only lived to be 13, while the others struggled through the pangs of adolescence, through heartbreak, through adulthood's love and loss--not to mention a lifetime of literary study, while Mattie had but 8 years, at the most. But he WILL be remembered, like Shel Silverstein will be remembered, because the quality of his poetry is remarkable for who he WAS.
Please don't pretend that an overexuberance for modern or contemporary era poets makes your knowledge of writers superior to that of others. Those who run about flaunting their "intelligence" are often incapable of understanding true intellect. Being intelligent is not reading what you believe are "great" writers, it understanding that greatness exists at all levels, if you are capable of finding it.
For those reading this to consider Heartsongs, the collection of books ARE remarkable. Mattie Stepanek's understanding of the fragility of life, death, and hope are often mind-boggling, particularly when you consider he composed some of these poems before he could write. At three, he not only comprehended the death of his sibling, he coped with it, wrote about it, and wrote about it quite WELL. He understood his own predicament and continued to find hope in everything he pursued, until the end of his life. Heartsongs was appreciated long before Mattie passed away, as it should have been, and as it should continue to be.
Rating: 
Summary: I'm going to sound horrible for saying this, but...
Review: I think it's important to be truthful. I really admired Mattie Stepanek. He was brave and dealt well with his illness, but in all honesty, he was by no means a poet. I received a copy of his book as a gift. It's now sitting on my shelf gathering dust. I read through it once and never bothered to do it again. His so-called "poetry" is choppy and awkward, and doesn't sound like poetry at all. I believe the reason why his books sold so well is because he was dealing with a life-threatening illness and people felt sorry for him. His books sell well because they're a charity case.
Rating:
Summary: i feel sorry for some of the reviewers...
Review: I would like to ask the reviewers who gave one star -- how many 13 year old boys carry a notebook wherever they go to write down their thoughts and feelings into poetry? Give me a break! The fact that this young man could even read and write with clarity -- and do it eloquently -- is amazing while most 13 year olds are eating McDonalds, playing computer games or sitting on their butts in front of the TV. Perhaps if Mattie had not been wheel chair bound his poetry would not have been published -- that's true. But it was published and it is inspiring. No it's not in the same category as the famous poets mentioned in these negative reviews -- but who ever said it was? It's poetry by an 11-year old boy and should be read and reviewed in that context! I saw Mattie on C-Span and was riveted by his understanding of issues far beyond his years. He knew his time was short and tried to cram as much life into 13 years as he could. To the reviewer who said that Mattie would live long enough to experience pain, defeat and disappointment -- you were right. Mattie faced all of those things in the 13 years that he lived, but did so with dignity and grace. Mattie is gone now, but he left a legacy in his short life of inspiration to those who are born with unbelievable challenges -- and face death every day. Mattie faced life with a sense of understandable urgency. His writing brought him comfort and a means to promote love and peace to others. In this often disappointing and mostly troubled world, I can find nothing wrong with that. God bless you, Mattie. You'll always be 5 stars to me.
Rating:
Summary: Peacemaker
Review: I, like the other reviewer, saw Mattie meet former President, Jimmy Carter, on TV. It was quite moving. Mattie is the type of young man who gives others *hope*! He is an *old soul* in the truest sense. I have not read Mattie's poems, but I listened as he read his poem for December. The book has to be wonderful because Mattie shines with the love that is inside his heart. The meeting of Jimmy Carter and Mattie was a gift to all of us who were fortunate enough to have our TV's turned on that special morning. Mattie truly is a *humble peacemaker* just like his friend, Jimmy Carter. I'm looking forward to reading Mattie's poetry.
Rating:
Summary: A young boy's words move and stir endless emotions
Review: Mattie is a god-send. He was sent here to touch the world with his spirit- and that is just what he has done. His incredible poetry fills me with a sence of wonder. I found myself wrapped up in all of his teachings. His courage, his hope for the future. He has come to send a message of peace. Anyone who takes the time to read this book will know exatly what I'm talking about. Thank you Mattie, for showing me the way.
Rating:
Summary: FANTASTIC, HEARTWARMING-- A MUST HAVE FOR ALL AGES!
Review: Mattie's ability to express gratitude and grief with poetry and painting is extraordinary! His hand-painted illustrations are touching and bring an innocence to his profound wit and wisdom. Throughout the book readers see whimsical pink hearts with black musical notes dancing about, his coined "Heartsongs." Mattie says "If you believe in magical, musical hearts, and if you believe you can be happy, then you, too will hear your song." Tears of joy and sorrow will fill your heart and eyes when you read "Journey Through Heartsongs," a literary gift of spirit and optimism for all ages. Mattie is guardian angel... a miracle kid whose wise soul shines peace, like beams of psychedelic lights in a rainbow.
Rating:
Summary: Keep Going Mattie! Beautiful and Inspiring Work!
Review: Mattie's heart shines so brightly through his work, and uplifts the spirits of those who may feel like there is nothing left to live for. His writing is a beacon in the dark, and soothing to the soul.
Keep going Mattie, no matter what ANYONE says, keep up your fantastic work. You are truly a gift to humanity, and your writing is incredibly beautiful, touching, and deeply needed! 10 Stars!
Rating:
Summary: Mattie is better than some of the poets who reviewed his wor
Review: Mattie's poetry was from the heart of a boy who has known true pain. Loss of loved ones, loss of the life that other children got to live as he dealt with a respirator and oxygen. Yet he found his cup half full not half empty as some poets like Stephen.(see his review) Here is poetry from a 22 year old who had the audacity to quote "Mattie's writings are not unlike the refrigerator-bound art your own preteen churns out on a regular basis."
I Wish
i wish i had this i wish i had that
i want to do this when im up to bat
i make my goals in reachable distance
i never take care of those in non exsistence
if i were to walk from here to there
i would hope i could go faster than a bear
this is why like is important
because you wish like its not
Stephen Craig Fink
I'll stick with Mattie thank you very much!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: Mattie's wisdom is far beyond his years. What a gifted soul. Thank you, Mattie, for sharing your poetry with us. I wish you longevity and great happiness, and I look forward to reading more 'heartsongs' in the years to come. I also recommend a little book of wisdom by another young man who is wise beyond his years - "Open Your Mind, Open Your Life" by Taro Gold. Both Mattie and Taro are humble young sages with the faces of boys but the hearts of philosophers.
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