‘Subject’ Published at Delta Poetry Review!
I am exuberant to share my poem Subject is included in the fourth literary issue published by the Delta Poetry Review!
Delta Poetry Review, edited by Dixon Hearne, is an online poetry journal publishing exceptional work by new, emerging, and established writers. The review is most interested in poetry from and about the American delta region and the Deep South. All poems must reflect the theme in topic, place, culture, idiomatic expressions, regional dialect.
It is not often I am able to write in company about the American South; my birth-land. Being a Virginia, girl, I am surrounded by culture that sparks original, illustrated metaphor and inspires stories.
Why I love the American South and how it inspires me poetically
When I think of the South, it is nearly always possessive. I am mentally declaring my belonging to the land of my Southern experience. At the same time I feel the homing pull compelling Europe and exotic India.
The South is the exotic heart of America; the region where the most original culture developed and a way of life/mentality planted itself in company with the cultures of the world.
While there are many aspects of Southern history and culture I do not align with, I cannot ignore the rich landscape and diverse pool of emotions from which to pull when writing about the South. The history of the land offers many windows into the past through which to look. I am not afraid to look.
I think of the people who lived and dreamed and died, of the soil, fertile with lessons learned, and of the beautiful strength that arose and became part of Southern people still present today.
Volume 4 from Delta Poetry Review hums with poems that represent personal relationships with the South. You may recognize some of the elements that the world associates with the American South, but you are more likely to experience stories of family history, heritage, pride, and landscape in beautiful language and searching word.
I invite you to enjoy Subject and challenge your perception not only of the South, but also of the world’s myriad landscapes and cultures. The following is an except of my poem, Subject, published at Delta Poetry Review.
Beside the snaking muddy river
In the heart of the South
Women in black are born.
Derived of
Bleeding sunsets and suffering
To sew into their skirts . . . please continue reading here and do share your beautiful thoughts!
Photo by Daniel Norris
Her Digital Coffee
Congratulations Jaya! This is such a wonderful piece. I can feel the love and passion flowing through each word. I especially love the line “watch their eyes gleam in whiskey.” Beautiful imagery! Thank you for sharing!
Ananda
A bewitching piece of writing . Haunting, sharing and stark
Jaya Avendel
Thank you, Ananda!
Ananda
*soaring
Dominic Alapat
You describe the American south beautifully; its landscape, its men and women! Every line in this poem is superb! I particularly liked, ‘In the mud swirls lust not love and Women who wear the secrets Of society like snakes who Shed their skins.’ Excellent writing!
Jaya Avendel
Thank you, Dominic! I love that you connected with this piece.
KK
Absolutely beautiful poem! Congratulations for its publication 👍👍
Andrea Stephenson
Congratulations Jaya. Being from the UK my only experience of the South is from books and movies, but I’ve always felt it has a rich culture. I love the imagery in your poem of the strong women in black with all their layers.
Jaya Avendel
Thank you, Andrea! I just love that you enjoyed my poem’s depiction of one face of the South.
Susi Bocks
Wonderful piece, Jaya! You can “hear” the region in your words. And congratulations!
Jaya Avendel
Thank you, Susi!
Susi Bocks
You’re welcome, Jaya! 🙂
Aspen Hite
Congratulations! An honor much deserved! And that is a beautifully haunting poem. 👏
Ebitimi Creates
Congratulations Jaya, super proud of you! I like how you pointed out that you don’t necessarily align with some aspects of your culture but still acknowledge and show respect for it. I feel the same. It’s really amazing to see how you’ve describe your connection to your heritage and culture. Great piece once again!
Jaya Avendel
Thanks ever so much!
readandreviewit1
Congratulations, that’s amazing! I love how you described your relationship with the south and inspiration behind it; thinking of the people and soil must be such a great source of inspiration! Your poetry is absolutely beautiful, too, which is definitely something I’ve come to expect from you! Thanks for sharing x
Jeff Flesch
Congratulations, Jaya! This is a wonderful piece. I absolutely adore how you create, “ Derived of
Bleeding sunsets and suffering
To sew into their skirts”, and then end with, paraphrasing, shedding skins of secrets. Amazingly beautiful, just like the time I’ve spent in the South. You’ve done it great justice here.
Jaya Avendel
Thank you, Jeff, for this lovely and observational read!
Jeff Flesch
You’re welcome, Jaya! Always!
Charity
Another amazing and beautiful piece!! Thanks so much for sharing again!
Jodie | That Happy Reader
Congratulations Jaya! I love how you’ve described your connection into your heritage and culture. Thanks for sharing.
Artist/Poet_JayMoraShihadeh
Congratulations! A magical and inviting glimpse into your heritage(s), beautifully crafted, my friend.
Keep Calm & Drink Coffee
First of all once again congratulations!
And also thanks a lot for this window on the South and the perception of the roots through your words, like in a beautiful journey through history and the heart of the south.
Jaya Avendel
Thank you for so enjoying it, Claudia!
Keep Calm & Drink Coffee
<3
Michele Lee
I am so proud of you, Jaya. 👏🏻 You keep us busy, keeping up with your prolific writing nature. I love it! I enjoyed reading about your views and connection to your place of origin. I have spent some time in the south. I long for more. Several generations on my mom’s side are from the south – I feel a strong connection to that part of the country and often gravitate toward books set in that region. Congratulations on continuing to share your voice!
Jaya Avendel
Books set in the South call to me too . . . coming from two places/lands always creates that inner yearning for more home than one!
Michele Lee
So many paths and information to explore! ✨ And ultimately write about or influence your writing in unexpected ways! 💗
Daphny Aqua
Congratulations Jaya, here’s tp may more success on the way. 🤗❤️🙌
The Goddess Attainable
Phenomenal! I felt those southern vibes even without knowing it. It’s clear you’re so in tune with the vibrations of the land, it gave me all kinds of feels 🖤
Jaya Avendel
Thank you for sharing your lovely read!
radhikasreflection
Hearty congratulations Jaya!
Lamittan Minsah
Congrats, Jaya. You, my friend, are no-doubt a skilful writer. Hugs.
Ingrid
This is a great poem, Jaya! I know very little of the American South except what I have read in books or seen in movies. I found your poem educational and stirring!
Jaya Avendel
Thank you ever so much, Ingrid!
Infinite Living
Absolutely amazing poetry and I found the conclusion so very stunning!
SelmaMartin
First off, congratulations, Jaya.
“think of the people who lived and dreamed and died, of the soil, fertile with lessons learned, and of the beautiful strength that arose and became part of Southern people still present today.”
This reminds me of Pocahontas and how lovely that your words brought that to mind. We are part of the soil. Of one color!
Loved your poem and the gift of your words. 👏
Jaya Avendel
Love the connections you made reading this, Selma! Thank you for sharing.
Cindy Georgakas
Amazing lines Jaya and love your poem! Such depth of feeling and raw. Congratulations! !!!
Molly Transatlantic Notes
So many congratulations to you; this is fantastic news that’s well deserved!
Andrew McDowell
Congratulations!
Michelle (Boomer Eco Crusader)
Congratulations on getting another poem published, Jaya! Awesome news.
Stuart Danker
Awesome! Always great to see fellow writers find traction, and getting published is no small feat indeed. Thanks for sharing the joy, and wishing you more times like this!
Tricia Sankey
Huge Congrats! 👏👏
Rebecca Budd
Congratulations, Jaya! Thank you for the introduction to Delta Poetry Review.
Jaya Avendel
Thank you, Rebecca, and I hope you find the review fascinating!
K.Hartless
Wonderful, Jaya. Congratulations. That last stanza, the shedding skins, one to be remembered. 👏🤦♀️
Jaya Avendel
Thank you deeply!