About the Author

Although Arthur Turfa has traveled to many places, his writings contain images of Western Pennsylvania and the people he knew growing up. Perhaps that explains his interest in languages, people, and various places. He has lived elsewhere in Pennsylvania, as well as California, Virginia, New Mexico, Germany, and now South Carolina. Each of these, as well as from his travels, has influenced his poetry. Through his careers as pastor, educator, and Army chaplain, he has come into contact with people from nearly every walk of life. In 2015 his first book of poetry, Places and Times, came out from eLectio Publishing. Turfa has also been published in print and online journals nationally and internationally. He has retired from some things, but not all. Currently the Midlands of South Carolina are home to him and his family.

Reviews

SALUDA REFLECTIONS is a diverse poetry collection offering the readers memoir-like reflections; insights regarding the present-day ills; love verses; even occasional excursions into the metaphysical. Many of the poems capture the uniqueness of a place or a person. For example, "Wyoming Valley, Pennsylvania" conveys the ambience of a "fading coal town," where "Below untouched anthracite and a honeycomb of shafts hinder doors and cabinets as they are shut." "The Transfiguration of Cap'n Douglas" portrays a "septuagenarian Geechie" who says, a Phillies cigar in his mouth, "If I had brandy, I'd offer you some, but you is / a college man." Not only people and localities, also moments show their unique characteristics, as in the charming "One Morning You Will Decide." Closing with the couplet, "Tell me when, my love, and I will / Get the bags from upstairs," the poem shows time as a fleeting potentiality. SALUDA REFLECTIONS will certainly appeal to a variety of readers.Joanna Kurowska, Author of The Butterfly's Choice and Intricacies Arthur Turfa's poems reflect the life of a man seeking purpose in every encounter with people and nature. They invoke wisdom garnered from a sensitivity we should learn from life's subtle treasures. Arthur's care of for his craft is only surpassed by his passion to enlighten his readers.Len Lawson The poet uses plain and concrete language and a strong narrative element and frequently uses imagery which may be unexpected and surprising. Landscape is a central thematic concern in his poetry. And landscape implies perspective--physical, cultural, and a spiritual exaltation of Nature. I love way the writer incorporates nature, making the reader hear, breathe and feel the forests, mountains, cascades and waterfalls. His main subject matter are lyrical observations centered on the everyday circumstances of life and the lives of common people and the real things. This enhances his creative abilities to communicate, to relate better and connect with the reader to whom he offers a heightened awareness of oneself, enabling more positive observation of their own environment. The creativity of the author is a reflection of his love for life in that he wants to enhance its beauty, naturally. Arthur is somebody who just lived and breathed poetry and offers readers recognition of his emotional states, and experience the healing properties of beauty.Alicia Salabert, Valencia, Spain