The book is divided into four chapters:  Family, Friend, Fall, Forever and Haiku.  The first poem in the Family chapter, "Love Dad," expresses his love for his son, but he does not use the words, "I love you." Somehow there was no need. In another poem, "The daughter I’ll never see," he expresses his feelings for a daughter he will never have.

All the poems are about simple things but paint an image that brings simple things into focus as important.  Such was the case with "Rose." "It has thorns as well as beautiful petals, / as we look at it's (sic) beauty."

In "Frozen Moments" the author uses lines that remind one of the closing lines in "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" "Miles and dreams from here / you will wonder and remember."

The poems in the final chapter, Haiku, are not as engaging as those in other chapters, but judged on the merits of the genre, they show some skill by the author in this poetic form.

Diamonds from Coal is a collection of poems that would make a good gift for someone who loves the family and its values.