A fortune cookie tree of content by Charles Knowlton is a 62-page book of 101 free verse, haiku, and senryu poems. Senryu is a Japanese form of short poetry similar to haiku in construction: three lines with 17 syllables. Senryu and haiku differ in tone; haikus are more serious.

This book is divided into two sections, the first being short poems on the seasonal changes of Vermont and quirky little poems and mini-stories to which dog and cat lovers can relate. The second section consists of about 60 senryu and haiku poems, mostly senryu exposing the humorous side of human behavior.

When autumn strikes, pumpkin spice is a familiar scent in many coffee shops and homes. The smell makes many mouths water for flavored beverages, bread, muffin, pie, etc. Besides the heavenly aromas of autumn, there's also the beautiful changing of the scenario and the perfect temperature weather ("Orange is the New Autumn). I love using my fireplace, and chopping wood is very therapeutic, in my opinion ("And just like that"). My pets love laying in front of the hearth, warming their fur. So cute. I can envision Lucy, Smiddy, and Beauty (pets mentioned in the poems) doing the same thing. 

"Top 10 things my dog has never said to me" amused me greatly, mainly number 7: "Do I need a mint?" If you own dogs, you know they could always benefit from a mint! "Top 10 things my cat has never said to me" was also funny. I read "Psst!...Wanna do some nip?" in the same manner as the song "Do you wanna build a snowman" (Frozen). 

If I hadn't read the synopsis, I would be hard-pressed to guess these poems focused on Vermont. While they vary in tone, they could be written about any number of points on the globe. Maybe these poems will remind you of your hometown or a place you visited before. Perhaps you'll be encouraged to visit the beautiful state of Vermont during the fall months. 

There were a few poems I didn't see their point. For example, "Craiglist Fredian Slip" and "You've been Chopped." It seemed as if the author was running out of ideas and started inserting miscellaneous thoughts.

I encourage you to grab a copy of this book, find a seat near a roaring fire and lose yourself in Charles Knowlton's collection of eclectic poems. Don't forget the pumpkin spice drink and dessert! 

3.5 stars