ALBIA — “Reasons for Hope” is a slim volume of poignant memories, telling stories of babies, grandparents and teenagers; each incident chronicled in rich detail.

Author Pat King said, “in contemporary poetry, a niche begs to be filled between traditional, predictable verse about only the sweet stuff in life and obscure literary poetry that often notices only the bitter.”

She admirably fills that niche with poems that “aim for the best parts of both,” written for a “diverse group of readers.”

Though she writes mostly of personal experience or experience of loved ones, her “hope is that every reader will see some of his or her own life in the book.” The emotion expressed is universal, pain and loss, elation, despair and hope; hope most of all.

Nor is she content with addressing emotions. Her skillful use of imagery paints vivid word portraits of the surroundings, whether of a grieving child at the bedside of a dying parent, the feel of a new baby on your lap or a teen’s pride of achievement on commencement night.

One can almost feel the crushed glass of smashed windows crunching beneath the restless feet of those watching the motionless body of an accident victim loaded into the waiting ambulance.

“Reasons for Hope” is King’s first book. But, she has written hundreds of poems, won dozens of awards and been published in nearly 30 publications including her hometown paper, Albia Newspapers, and the Ottumwa Courier.

King judges national poetry contests, gives readings, is active in several writers’ organizations as well as local organizations. Her other passions include Elderhostel , UFOs, windsurfing and foreign travel. She has visited more than 80 countries.

The Kings, Pat and Jim, have three children and three grandchildren.