Written over a period of more than 50 years, "The Shadow of Rainbows: 100 Life Poems" by Evelyn Bell is a collection which ranges from fanciful word-plays to thoughtful and deeply emotional expressions. Disappointments in romantic love inspired many poems, but most deal more broadly with people and relationships. An appreciation of nature and beauty is expressed in most of Bells work. Sporadic rhymes and surprising punchlines are common to her style. While living in San Francisco during the mid-1970's, Evelyn penned 200 poems during a 12 month period. A small selection of these appear in Chapter 2. After returning from California to Florida, family losses took a heavy toll.
The writer shares her sorrows as willingly as her laughter. Whether dealing with impending divorce, office politics, romantic foibles, wrenching sentiment or simple silly things, all form the spectrum of an honest response to the writer's richly experienced life.