My second poetry collection, Blue, is now available! A collection about depression, grief and the transformative power of art.
My deepest gratitude to everyone who has helped in the creation of this collection, especially my two children.
[Writing
this book was a dangerous and vulnerable venture (for both myself and
my son), so why did I write it? 1. As Rilke wrote to his Polish
translator, Witold von Hulewicz, “...our task is to stamp this
provisional, perishing earth into ourselves so deeply, so painfully and
passionately, that its being may rise again, 'invisibly,' in us.” 2. To
prove to myself that value can come from grief, from sorrow. 3. To prove to my children that value can come from grief, from sorrow. 4.
Celan: “Your mother's soul hovers ahead. / Your mother's soul helps to
navigate night, reef after reef. / Your mother's soul whips on the
sharks at the bow...” To try to be the mother's soul. 5. As a way of
touching, being together, an intimacy, a solace. Yannis Ritsos, “I hide
beyond simple things so you'll find me; / if you don't find me, you'll
find the things, / you'll touch what my hand has touched, / our
hand-prints will merge.” 6. To create a record, one version. To
understand. To preserve. 7. Probably, also, to seal off—to create a new
beginning point for myself, my children. 8. Perhaps to offer something
of value to others. 9. Selfishly, to survive. 10. To strengthen my
bravery, so that I (and we) might move forward.]
