Heart Beats is curated by the cheerful Lisa Tomey of The Prolific Pulse blog and podcast. Lisa seeks to connect poets and writers to readers and fellow wordsmiths through her writing, interviews, anthologies, and poetry readings.
Heart Beats is a collection of poetry from 48 writers sharing the rendering stories, lessons, and experiences that have kept us going through every global violence and unexpected eruption of the past and present. It is a study in the strength, hope, and vision that will continue to nurture our love of life into the unknowns of the future. Heart Beats is a book about ‘life’s ups and downs and in-between, and how different points of view merge into one beautiful collection of poetic works.”
I have been part of two previous print anthologies. Both As The World Burns and The Kali Project are deeply moving books, seeking to educate and empower as well as spread awareness. Heart Beats is as powerful in a different way. Heart Beats invites us to find one more reason to smile. Ultimately, under all the darkness there is blinding light.
I realized lately I often enjoy highlighting the darkness under the light or introducing a little slice of shadow into an otherwise sunny picture. It was a welcome change to delve deep into what keeps my heart beating and to explore new facets I would otherwise not ruminate over. Change of topic and matter in writing takes me back to the beginning of my writing journey, but I have the advantage of everything new I have learned to face the challenge ahead with.
Lisa is hosting two virtual poetry readings for the writers in Heart Beats to read their poems from within the book tomorrow (Saturday, April 10th), at 10 am and 7 pm Eastern Time. I will be attending the 10 am meeting and reading from my poems.
I have never read aloud from my writing to a gathered audience, so I am both nervous and excited to step out of my comfort zone for a chance to grow and engage with the faces and voices from behind writers I admire. It is the small steps like this that pave golden the coming opportunities and make each further step easier.
All are invited to attend. Click here to RSVP your attendance via Meetup, an online platform that makes it easy for community to gather in one place for an event.
If you miss the live reading or cannot attend, Lisa will be posting a recording of it to her Prolific Pulse Youtube Channel.
The following is an excerpt from my poem, Community.
In song I wrap myself
The troubles of the world dim.
I dance
For the single snowflake struggling against the sun . . .
I hope you will smile with this book, ‘aha’ with this book, and find your moments of truth within its pages. If you are so called, you can purchase Heart Beats through Amazon here.
Cover Art used with permission
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