In just 6 days, my debut poetry collection, “Things My Mother Left Behind”, (from Potter’s Grove Press), will be officially out in the world. My heart and mind, my secrets and fears, will be in the hands of friends, and maybe even a few strangers, and I will have the immense good fortune of living through the fruition of a life long dream. For me, it is a light in these dark times that gives me immeasurable hope and joy, and somehow, it feels appropriate that my first book is coming out during a time that has been punctuated by loss and sorrow, as so much of my work explores these themes.

I believe that without the darkness, there can be no light, and the light that permeates darkness is one that shines more brilliantly, offering the most sustenance. As the light of a dream come true shines into my life, I am led into spaces of reflection. I am missing those I have lost, hoping they would be proud of me. I am grateful for the love I know and have known in my 51 years. I am grateful to have been given the gift of time and language.

My greatest hope is that my book will be read and that my words will offer comfort, clarity, a sense that we are not alone, maybe even a new way of seeing. For whoever reads my book, I hope that something in it resonates, that the words find a place in the darkness, and in peoples hearts.

“Things My Mother Left Behind” will be available through Amazon on July 14. I will also be selling signed copies through my website, and I will be doing a live reading via Facebook on July 14 @5pm PST. I hope you will pop by the reading. Links and more info to follow in the next couple of days.

As ever, my gratitude for this incredible creative community is overflowing. I am humbled every time I come here, by the heart, the talent, the support and the encouragement of all the amazing writers I have come to know.