NIGHT OF THE HAWK
Lauren Martin
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Poetry
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
Ifá.
Nature. Illness. Love. Loss. Misogyny. Aging. Africa. Our wounded planet. In
this sweeping yet intensely personal collection, Lauren Martin tells the untold
stories of the marginalized, the abused, the ill, the disabled—the different.
Inspired by her life’s experiences, including the isolation she has suffered as
a result both of living with chronic illness and having devoted herself to a
religion outside the mainstream, these poems explore with raw vulnerability and
unflinching honesty what it is to live apart—even as one yearns for connection.
But
Night of the Hawk is no lament; it is powerful, reverential, sometimes
humorous, often defiant—“Oh heat me and fill me / I rise above lines”—and full
of wisdom. Visceral and stirring, the poems in this collection touch on vastly
disparate subjects but are ultimately unified in a singular quest: to inspire
those who read them toward kindness, compassion, and questioning.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excerpt
Two:
PEACHES
Dear Peaches,
Please stop killing yourself with shameful behavior.
I saw the ass drums.
I wanted to barf. I thought much more highly of you.
You are the slimy lecherous guy on stage at spring break.
Except, you’re 60. I guess that makes sense.
But What is going on? And you question my rituals?
Love,
Muñequita
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
True emotion and word of mouth are indeed powerful forces in literature, capable of resonating deeply with readers and creating lasting impressions. In the realm of poetry, these elements take on even greater significance as poets strive to distill complex feelings and experiences into concise, evocative language. The art of writing poetry involves a delicate balance of crafting words that not only convey the poet's thoughts and emotions but also resonate with the reader on a profound level.
When composing poetry, authors often grapple with the challenge of translating their innermost feelings onto the page, hoping that their message and emotional intent will be effectively communicated. This process requires a keen understanding of language, imagery, and rhythm, as well as the ability to tap into universal human experiences that can touch readers across diverse backgrounds.
The publishing world can be a fickle and unpredictable entity, making it challenging for writers to anticipate what might capture the attention of editors and literary gatekeepers. However, despite the ever-changing trends in the industry, there remains a constant and unwavering desire among readers for emotional truths that resonate on a universal level. This hunger for authenticity drives readers to seek out literature that speaks to the human condition in honest and relatable ways.
In a world often dominated by superficiality and fleeting
trends, readers crave genuine representations of the human experience. They
long for stories and poems that reflect their own struggles, joys, and
complexities, allowing them to see themselves mirrored in the words on the
page[5]. This desire for authenticity underscores the enduring power of
literature to connect people across time, culture, and personal circumstances.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Lauren Martin is a psychotherapist, poet, and a
devoted Ìyânífá. Born in Boston and spending many years in New York and
Paris, she currently lives in Oakland, California. Lauren studied psychology,
photography and poetry at Sarah Lawrence College. She spent years writing
without submitting her work due to a long shamanic journey, which led her to
both Ifá, and to the writing of several books (including this collection
of poems.) The upcoming publication of Night of the Hawk (SheWrites Press, 2024),
reflects a deeply personal experience of illness, isolation and true shamanism.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Night-Hawk-Poems-Lauren-Martin-ebook/dp/B0C9HK2CX7
Website: https://www.laurenmartin.net/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lauren.martin.37201
Instagram: http://instagram.com/frankyisastar
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY
Lauren
Martin will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thank you for hosting today.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Sandra’s Book Club for hosting me
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a good book of poetry.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Please feel free to let me know if you read it and have any questions
DeleteWhat inspired you to write a book of poetry?
ReplyDeleteI don’t know why but poetry has always come out of me. Somehow without realizing it, I think that way.
DeleteWhat are your favorite books to read?
ReplyDeleteI love poetry. I love historical fiction. I love to read before bed. You?
DeleteThis sounds like a good book.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Somehow this is preventing me from showing it’s me but it is Lauren
ReplyDeleteA simply elegant read.
ReplyDeleteOh my! Thank you. That’s so nice to hear.
DeleteThank you for the excerpt & guest post! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you. I am glad it spoke to you!
DeleteLike the In Your Opinion section.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I think sometimes, publishers underestimate readers desire for connection. Real connection.
Delete