Did the strings break
Or the melody die out
Were they so complex
The words and the sounds?
Composing emotions
Did you fall into the trap
Of raking up memories
Kept under a wrap?
Now here’s a whimper
There a mad laughter
Grief from the past
Rises in dark spectre!
Today, I started reading my first book in the Reedsy Discovery book review community. Reedsy is a British startup online author services firm promoting collaboration between authors and publishing freelancers in the self-publishing industry. Discovery, puts a spotlight on the best works of the Independent (indie) publishing world — great books that are often overshadowed by big bestsellers.
As a reviewer, I have full access to the Reedsy Discovery library of advanced review copies (ARCs) and other member perks. Hundreds of authors have submitted their books for discovery. I have access to the submissions pool and can read and review books before they launch.
I hope to guide the writing and reading community by spotting new trends and deciding which books Discovery recommends for its 200k readers. Not all writers get big publishing contracts, not all big house publications are great. A lot of talent lies in Indie publishing. I am privileged to help these writers in my own small way; I am proud to support independent publishing.
The Editorial Manager of this platform contacted me after reading my blog. My blog, in its previous avatar, and now with a new URL, has always brought me fantastic writing and reading opportunities. I am glad to read and review more books. I hope can identify some good work. As the Reedsy Discovery site for reviewers says: The best books go undiscovered, be part of the movement that shines a light on them.
I can write reviews as often as I like and they will appear in the Discovery newsletters to readers. I will also share book reviews on this blog. The first book I started reading today is an engaging story about magic in the life of a Creole girl. I am sure this will be an exciting journey.
Gulmohar trees swaying
In the summer heat
Tawny branches bursting
With fiery flowers,
Crimson petals carpeting
The gray gravel road
Gleefully picked up
For sword fights
With tender stamens;
The tiny tip breaking free
In innocent games
Losers none, all winners be!
Green sepals become
Fake nails in child’s play
It is all beautiful, speckled
Like colors of tomorrow!
A burst of tanginess
Tingling the soul,
Children head home
Chewing sepals, petals;
Just a flower, so much to give
Until it melts – orange, blue
All comes to rest, in dusky hue!
Take me to apple orchards,
For walks in lavender fields
Show me colors so idyllic
Make me forget darkness
On the road and in my destiny!
Adorn me with terracotta jewels
Trinkets of clay, as sublime, fragile
As my soul that will discard
All that seems so precious today!
Let me now observe
Ongoings of our world
Has it gone insane
Or sloshed with disdain?
How has it replaced
All the love with hate!
When friends are foes
For opinions they spoke
Do we bury the voices
Or risk being trolled?
When men are up in arms
Do we cower or take a chance,
To make amends, to call out
The lies and cover ups
The slyness and mess ups!
Blue Pen Strokes 