With 60 poems and 10 color photos and art, Images in the Clouds: reading the sky by Maria Wells carries the reader forward and back in time, to inner and outer worlds. Taken from the treasure trunk of Wells’ life of adventure and world travel, some verses share memories of places and people, while some delight with pure fantasy and imagination. The verses capture details of a deeply-felt life of travel, events and people, with tranquility and chaos embedded within the lines. Every image, every phrase, every recollection rings true with a sense of emotion and quiet intelligence. Reflective thoughts, entertaining stories, refreshing realism, striking paradoxes, humor, wisdom and ethereal moments combine to elevate the spirit. "Memories in Silver" is a wonderful piece of writing-a simple idea, simply done and beautifully sustained. It is full of emotion, yet not over-wrought. Every image, every phrase, every recollection rings true. I like the sense of a quiet intelligence which runs through and pulls together the whole poem. -Andrew Lycett, London Author / Biographer These poems are genuine and speak of life, with fine details, good suspense throughout, sense of being there, in that place, that moment. Choice of speaker and subject gathers the different events and people. The poems are good with mood, tone, emotions quietly expressed. -David Wevill, Poet These poems by Maria Wells have personal integrity and are both deeply felt and clearly voiced, all of which are always welcome in any art. -Kurt Heinzelman, Professor Emeritus of Poetry and Poetics, The University of Texas at Austin I close my eyes and I can experience the beauty of Italy. I can appreciate the ghosts that walk around and enjoy their moments. Ethereal, beautifully done. Maria Wells offers slices of reflective thoughts, entertaining stories, and refreshing realism with a positive, but not saccharine, message. Her work reflects her travels, culture, and knowledge without being lofty and her observations reveal parts of the human psyche with wisdom, clarity, and sometimes humor. Reading her work always leaves me with a smile as if I have been served an enjoyable dessert. -Cathy Sydlo Wilkes, poet and author, New Braunfels Creative Writers I love these poems. They leave me with strong feelings. I like the emotions that go with those experiences." -Hannah Chapelle Wojciehowski, Professor of English, The University of Texas at Austin Unexpected stream of consciousness or "monologue interieur" ... a newborn's emerging identity! (One poem is) evocative, underscoring a peaceable moment in a war context. -Jean -Pierre Cauvin, Professor Emeritus of French Literature What a glorious picture you have painted, with all the emotions between tranquility and chaos, and captured within a few short lines... the "less is more" school of thought. -John M. Knapp, London/Muscat Just beautiful! Reminding me to notice all these glorious little snippets of life. -Karen Johnson, Poet, NBCW I was enthralled by the idea of your spirit leaving your body as you witness this. I also loved when the dancing ended and your spirit returned, how you were changed, "more conscious of the sublime". -Maureen Turner Carey, Writers Workshop Organizer, Westbank Library Poems are luxury travel. Her first hand experiences thrill, amaze and delight. Let her poems guide you through Greek Mythology, and take you to Olympus! -Thom Woodruff, SPIRIT THOM, Beat Poet Laureate of Texas 2020-2022 "Solo Climb" is very rich in imagery and metaphor, and it evokes the Gods. I felt I was climbing and striving with you, not worrying about reaching the peak but ever making my way upward because there was no other way to go but upward. -Louise Richardson, APS/ New World Poetry "How I Fell in Love with Poetry" and "Tonio Kroger, a Memory of Youth" both capture the bleak beauty of the Northern landscape and seas, and how it is part of the Nordic heritage- the seeming paradox of being warmed and enamored by facing the cold, danger and death; of feeling understood in facing solitude. -Peter Philippson, M.Sc. Psychotherapy trainer, writer, UK A Fulbright Scholar and Doctoral graduate from the University of Pisa, Maria Xenia Wells Zevelechi spent her career at the University of Texas at Austin. Her academic books include: The Ranuzzi Manuscripts, Italian Post-1600 Manuscripts and Family Archives in North American Libraries, The Italian Collections across the Centuries: Literature, Art and Theater, and Aldine Press Books at the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center. She has published articles about ancient manuscripts, modern Italian authors, dialect poetry, art and Puppet Theater. The World Catalog Identities confirms 15 works in 36 publications in two languages held in 363 libraries worldwide. The Italian Government awarded her the title of Cavalier in the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. She has traveled extensively to conferences in the US and Europe and