Two Poems Published at Free Verse Revolution!
I am delighted to share two of my poems, Summertime Sadness and Blue Dusk, are published in the remarkable seventh issue from the literary magazine, Free Verse Revolution.
Issue VII: Tahmina (love and loss) explores themes of womanhood, love, and fragile grief through evocative storytelling, narratives inspired by real-life experiences, and reflective artwork and photography. Featuring over seventy pages of writing and artwork, Issue VII is alive with the rich imagery found in classical paintings and myth.
Who is Tahmina?
Tahmina is the wife of Rostam in the 10th century Persian epic The Shahnameh. She seduces and marries Rostam, and bears his son, Sohrab. Tahmina gives Sohrab a jewel so that, if he should ever meet his father in battle, Rostam will realize who he is.
The story tells of Rostam and how he eventually kills Sohrab, as he sees the tell-tale jewel too late.
What are my poems about?
Tahmina is a celebrated seductress and a woman apparently in-tune with her femininity and sexuality. She also is a mother who lost her child.
When faced with the inspiration to write about Tahmina, I turned first to ideas of happiness laced with bittersweet sexuality, womanhood, and the dusky, divine feminine. I wrote of the wistful and of the nostalgic.
The two poems that blossomed on the page are two pieces that are interconnected despite having been written several weeks apart. Each poem speaks to the strength of love and the beauty of womanhood, but one poem celebrates life while the other celebrates the end of life.
The following is a short excerpt of my poem Blue Dusk, published at Free Verse Revolution.
Crushed rose petal and gemstone
Wicked snap of jasmine
Summertime sadness wreaks melody
Gloved hands rake through blue dusk.
She breaks against you
White lace tied in French knot
Threads of desire burst from her mouth . . .
My poetry can be found on on pages 6 & 7 of Issue VII: Tahmina (love and loss). The issue is available to download via this link, or through the issues page at Free Verse Revolution. Please enjoy the issue as a whole this autumn and lose yourself to the mythic flow of the writing.
Photo by Marissa Grootes
Ka Malana - Fiestaestrellas.com
Congratulations! Wonderful 😍
navasolanature
Congratulations and some beautiful poetry.
extraordinarysunshineweaver
Stunning work, Jaya! Congratulations!
Karima Hoisan
Congratulations Jaya! You are a unique wordsmith with a seductive voice.
Ali Grimshaw
Congratulations.👍🏾👍🏾
Keep Calm & Drink Coffee
Jaya heartfelt congratulations!
An inspired and inspiring interconnection.
A very interesting work enriched by your poems!
Jaya Avendel
Thank you, Claudia!
Keep Calm & Drink Coffee
<3
theusedlife
Congratulations!
Ingrid
Congratulations, Jaya: beautiful poetry and a fine addition to the collection!
Jaya Avendel
Thank you, Ingrid! The collection is indeed marvelous as a whole.
SelmaMartin
Hey Jaya. Congratulations. Splendid achievement. I so remember reading the one
after Lana Del Rey. I remember the smell and color of the nightgown. How lovely that more people will get a chance to read and fall in love with this one and the Blue Dusk on page 7 too. So great to read. Both. Blessings.
Jaya Avendel
Thank you for this splendid words, Selma!
The Sicilian Storyteller
Congratulations, Jaya! Always sublime! 🌹
Jeff Flesch
Congratulations, Jaya! I read your poems over the weekend, they are exquisite.
Michele Lee
I so appreciate the extra effort you put into your posts, Jaya. Interesting background information. Gorgeous poems that complement each other so beautifully. Well done! Lovely publication too.
Jaya Avendel
Thank you deeply, Michele!
Michele Lee
You are most welcome, Jaya. 🌞
literaryscribe
Congrats!!!
Poet of the Light
Congrats…
Andrew McDowell
Congratulations!
barbaraleaver
Wonderful! Congratulations
D. Wallace Peach
So lovely to see a post from you, Jaya, and two beautiful poems full of your sensuous and lyrical imagery. I also enjoyed getting a glimpse into the inspiration for your poems – what a tragic story. I could see the connection between the poems as well as the difference in tone. Blue Dusk definitely shifted from sensuality to a sense of desperation and loss. That one pulled on my heartstrings. Congrats on the publication. <3 <3
Jaya Avendel
Thank you for this in-depth and lovely comment, Diana! I love that you enjoyed both poems.
Cassa Bassa
Exquisite! 👏💚
K.Hartless
Wonderful. Congratulations. 💜
Jacqui Murray
Congratulations! That is wonderful.
paeansunplugged
Congratulations, Jaya! I so enjoyed your poems. ❤️
Daphny Aqua
Congratulations Jaya, keep on shinning gurl you deserve every bit of it. 💕