Three Poems Published in Heart Beats Anthology!
I am pleased to share three of my poems, Listening, Assurances, and Community are published within the artistically beautiful covers of Heart Beats: An Anthology of Poetry!
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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Giulia
Congrats my love! You totally deserve to be published. I’m definitely going to check out this book and support you.
Jaya Avendel
<3 Thank you so much!!
nortoncharity
Oh wow! Congratulations! That is so exciting and so well deserved!
barbaraleaver
Congratulations once again! All the best with the reading of your wonderful poems to an audience
Melissa Kacar
Congratulations on this incredible achievement! This is such a great opportunity for you to display your writing and connect with others! I completely relate to feeling nervous before reading your work aloud, but I hope it went well for you! I’ll be sure to check out the video when it’s posted! Thank you for sharing, I’m looking forward to reading more of your poetry soon! 🙂
Jaya Avendel
Thank you, Melissa! The video is live and watching it myself to see how I sounded will be interesting. You can find it via this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pRWj4yUuzw&ab_channel=ProlificPulse
Gabriela Marie Milton
Congratulations Java. This is truly wonderful. I am also very happy that you participate in poetry reading. Enjoy every minute. Shine 🌸🥰🌹❤️
Jaya Avendel
This is my first reading. I did not perhaps 👌🏿 it, but I had a lovely time!
Gabriela Marie Milton
I am sure everything will be wonderful 🌹❤️🥰🌹❤️🥰
Keep Calm & Drink Coffee
I subscribed and tried but I had not been able, perhaps I am late,
WHAT A PITY!
So sorry Jaya!
Jaya Avendel
Not to worry, I am so deeply grateful for the effort and am pleased to say that the event will be posted as a recording to the Prolific Pulse Youtube Channel. Perhaps you will enjoy the readings there. <3
Keep Calm & Drink Coffee
Sure! Could you please send it to me?!
THANKS A LOT! <3
Jaya Avendel
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pRWj4yUuzw&ab_channel=ProlificPulse
Keep Calm & Drink Coffee
GRAZIE Jaya!!
I just finished listening and for me it has been a strongly wonderful emotion hearing your Words directly from your voice. Magic!
Thank You so so so much! <3
Jaya Avendel
I am delighted you enjoyed the sound of my words! You have fueled my confidence. <3
Stephanie
Well, first and foremost: congratulations! That’s such an incredible accomplishment. I can only imagine your elation over having your work displayed in this way. The book sounds delightful, with all of those artists featured. I’m sure it’ll be amazing. I also think that the reading will be spectacular and I’m bummed that I won’t be able to attend this time. But I’ll be staying tuned for more events like this in the future, featuring your incredible poetry!
Jaya Avendel
Thank you, Stephanie, for your kind and encouraging words! I look forward to future virtual events as well. <3
-Eugenia
Congratulations, Jaya!
Kelly Diane
Well done on your amazing poems being published. Getting to read them in front of an audience too is so great. You should feel so proud of how far you’ve come Jaya. This is such a great achievement.
Jaya Avendel
Thank you, Kelly! A proud moment to pat myself on the back.
Keep Calm & Drink Coffee
Oh how much I would love to listen to you!
I must understand exactly what time will be here when you are 10 am …
Thanks!!
Bartholomew Barker
Congrats! I’m honored to be in an anthology with you. Too bad you’re reading in the 10am show. I’ll be doing the 7pm reading. (10am on a Saturday is just too early for me!)
Jaya Avendel
There will be amazing and gorgeous readings at both shows, to be sure! I will definitely be watching the posted recording. <3
Unwanted Life
That’s so cool that you’ll be doing your first live poetry reading, your work speaks for itself so you’ll smash it out of the park I’m sure
Jaya Avendel
Thank you! That is what I am aiming for. 🙂
eob2
Congratulations Jaya! It is indeed an exciting and terrifying experience to read ones poems out loud to an audience for the first time. Just imagine everyone in their underwear! 😉 J/K you’ll do great! 💯% Because your poems are awesome! Good luck, dear. 🙏🏼😊
Jaya Avendel
🤣 I appreciate your on-point and helpful advice! Thank you for your happy dose of encouragement.
eob2
🤗🌻
Andrew McDowell
Congrats! I was in As the World Burns too!
Jaya Avendel
Your writing was a 💖 to read. Thank you for your enthusiasm!
Andrew McDowell
You’re welcome, and thank you!
FN
How absolutely wonderful that your poems have been selected and that you will be reading aloud as well. Congratulations. Reading aloud is a wonderful experience. Welcome into its world.
Jaya Avendel
Indeed, yes, the sound of words out loud is nothing compared to what they sound like in my head. Looking forward to tomorrow!
Susi Bocks
Looking forward to “meeting you”, Jaya! 🙂
Jaya Avendel
🤣 I intend to do my best to be at both meetings, Susi! The feeling goes both ways.
Susi Bocks
Oh, awesome! I can’t do the morning one, so hopefully see you at the 2nd! 🙂