The Ballad of the Quest

"The Ballad of the Quest" by Virna Sheard is a poetry collection that dives into deep feelings about desire, affection, sadness, and the search for calm when life and conflict are all over the place. The poems paint strong pictures with words and show feelings about both personal and universal happenings. The main poem, called "The Ballad of the Quest," kicks off the whole collection by talking about wanting freedom and purpose as the speaker starts a trip to discover peace and love in a messed-up world. Sheard's poems think about how pretty nature is, recalling sweet memories of people who passed away, and the tough truths about living, mainly when there's war going on. From the soothing sea and gentle nature to sad cries for those who died, the poems deliver a sense of hope and new beginnings even when things are hard, encouraging people to value loveliness and connections in their own lives.