"Saving Lives," from Blue

 

Blue

One day away from the official launch of Blue. We will visit with our children for Canadian Thanksgiving. Thanks indeed.

Blue

 

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.]