Poetry Published in ‘Nothing Divine Dies’ Poetry Anthology!
I am thrilled to share two of my poems, Homing and Wishes, are published in Nothing Divine Dies, the third bestselling poetry anthology from Vita Brevis Press!
Nothing Divine Dies is a poetry anthology about nature includes the writing of over fifty poets. The writing places you at the heart of a misty glade. It fills your ears with the twittering of birds, and you feel the gentle sunshine breaking through the mist alight on your face. Watch a blossom unfold!
If you do not have immediate access to the privacy of woodland clearing or the time to sit beside a twinkling stream with willow branches shy on your back, the writing in this anthology will transport you from your cozy living room to the presence of nature at her raw and beautiful best.
Why my poems are short poems.
Their short nature (pun intended) takes me back to the beginning of my writing journey. I began writing poetically with haiku. I love encompassing huge thoughts in small words.
At first, I avoided free verse, frightened at the thought of too much freedom and afraid to see where it would take me. I continued to condense thoughts into tiny poems because my longer pieces seemed too long and too unclear.
Over time, as I read the work of fellow writers, I began to want to harness the ability to tell a story freely, in as many words as needed.
I copied the styles of known writers to find my own voice. Then I looked past styles to learn how to present a scene, capture a feeling, and tell a story.
We read to learn. Ultimately, we learn about fast fashion, about dog collars, about Italy reading articles, blog posts, and books. And we absorb what we learn. When we sit down to write, we call on what we know.
The trivial things I absorb over the day work into my writing. Stories from my rural mountain home, faraway Italy, which I have never seen, a bit of Egyptian pottery I once saw in a magazine turn into the focus of my writing. I write what I feel and think I know and that makes it true.
These two poems are deeply what I know, coming straight from experiences living in the mountains of Virginia.
The following is my poem, Wishes, included in the poetry anthology Nothing Divine Dies.
Young leaves rustle. They were born yesterday.
Dappled shade cleanses my face.
I hold the damp earth in my palm and
Massage it into my skin. Hands to the ground I uncover a
Twisted glass soda bottle from 1926.
Whistle: orange fizzy drink. Cap still on.
The base is broken
Twin glass shards fall onto the earth
This genie did not wait to be set free.
If you are so called, the anthology is available for purchase here. And, as always, do feel free to share your beautiful thoughts!
vermavkv
Beautiful
Dominic Alapat
This is a beautiful poem Jaya! I can smell the earth of Virginia here! And the poem ends on such a fanciful note! Excellent writing!
KK
It’s really great. You deserve it. Congratulations 🎉🎉
Susi Bocks
Congratulations, Jaya! 🙂 Beautiful poem, felt like I was right there with you.
diaryofagaydad.net
This sounds really great Jaya. Yes, we’ll done…
Lamittan Minsah
Congratulations, dear Jaya. You’re no doubt a great poet. Keep writing, putting smiles and admirations on our faces with your noteworthy works. 💖
Jaya Avendel
Thank you for such amazing words, Lamittan!
Lamittan Minsah
You’re most welcome, dear. 💖
Jeff Flesch
Congratulations, Jaya! That’s a stunning poem, reminding me of many a day scouring the shore. Wonderful!
D. Wallace Peach
Congrats on the publication, Jaya. I’m not at all surprised that you have two poems within the collection. The magic has escaped the bottle. 🙂
Jaya Avendel
Thank you for your delightful words!
Cindy Georgakas
Well deserved Jaya! Congratulations on your wonderful poems in this anthology! I love the flow and imagery in both of them, So happy for you! 💖👏👏
Jaya Avendel
Thank you deeply, Cindy!
thetravelvine
Wow a published author! Go you 🙂 That’s such great news. I love the nature poem.
readandreviewit1
Congratulations, that’s amazing! Wishes is absolutely beautiful; you perfectly encapsulated the sense of fall whilst simultaneously bringing a fresh take to it, which is quite the talent! Thank you so much for sharing x
S.S. Mitchell
Congratulations! I love how short your poems are. Despite the brevity, they contain so much more to actually ponder on and visualise.
Plane Beauty (@Planebeautyblog)
Well done! That is an amazing achievement, I hope you’re proud of yourself because you deserve it! Wishes is a fantastic poem and I love your reasoning about why you decided to write a short poem. Good luck for the future – I’m excited to read more!
Jaya Avendel
Thanks so much, love!
Creekrose
Oh those capped whistlers in the woods, whistlers by the creek! Love how you’ve woven this together dear, may your words keep flowing, lit up and aglow 🥰
Jaya Avendel
🥰👣 Thank you!
Farrokh
Beautifully expressed. Loved these poems and may you continue to be published, bringing joy.
Willow Croft
Congrats! Looks like a great anthology!
Daphny Aqua
Congratulations Jaya! Wishing you much more success in days to come. 🍾
Gabriela Marie Milton
Congratulations Jaya!
xoxo
Lauren
This is so lovely Jaya! You are so talented. Congratulations on being published. Happy New Year. I hope 2022 has been a great year for you.
Lauren
Eugi
This is fabulous, Jaya! Congratulations!❤️
Kate
Congratulations on being published! That’s amazing news! You should be so proud of all your hardwork <3
Jaya Avendel
Thank you so much!
Ingrid
Congratulations, Jaya: wonderful news! 😊
Hacketthillfarm
Congratulations are yet in order again. I can tell you that this poem is so true to life. There are many days when the kids and I take to the woods of the Virginia mountains and find hidden treasures. They are some of my favorite days with my family.
Jaya Avendel
Aww! So in love you connected with the poem personally.
Keep Calm & Drink Coffee
Congratulations! You really deserve your poems published so much!
Jaya Avendel
Thank you, dear Claudia! It is wonderful to see your words here.
Keep Calm & Drink Coffee
<3
paeansunplugged
The feel of damp earth is indescribable. Congratulations, Jaya. Your longer poems are as beautiful as your earlier haikus were.
Jaya Avendel
You warm my heart, Punam!
paeansunplugged
❤️
Andrew McDowell
Congrats!
Michelle (Boomer Eco Crusader)
Congratulations Jaya. It’s great to see your beautiful poetry being recognized!
schmitztimo
The pun with “short nature” was really funny, though I would not have noticed immediately if you hadn’t put an emphasize on it.
Jaya Avendel
🥰 Thank you for sharing!
Lucia’s Fiction
🥳🥳 Congratulations
Eri Tz
I love how I can feel your touching the earth, smell what you smell, see what you see and hear your thoughts. You take me along to this moment presented here. Beautiful feelings!
Jaya Avendel
Thank you for sharing such a lovely read!
Tricia Sankey
Congratulations! 👏👏 Well deserved, enjoyed the poem!
Jaya Avendel
Much appreciated, Tricia!
Tricia Sankey
💓
Anika
Beautiful poem, Jaya. How wonderful to hear that it has been published! Congratulations 🎉