I Found My Spiritual Awakening in Poetry by Alise Versella

 Welcome to The Women Behind The Poetry, where we feature the women from the 'Journey of The Heart: Women's Spiritual Poetry Project'! 

Today,we give you a glimpse into the theme you'll encounter in our new book, courtesy of Alise Versella:  

  

My spirituality lies in a different kind of verse

You cannot find it in the numbered psalms at Sunday morning church

It lies in wild stanzas, fluttering sparrows, bleeding ink on a blue veined perch…

I have never been a very religious person. Although I am Catholic, I have never found spirituality in the walls of their churches, their songs never made me want to exalt in praise, and I found no comfort in the tissue paper pages of their bibles.

History class had taught me of the wars fought over a god, the blood spilled in his name. There seems to be a hierarchy in being a "good" Christian, as opposed to just being a good person and spiteful eyes are always looking down at those who sin differently than they do.

No, I am not very religious, but I have found spirituality in that open expanse of wild nature, it calls out to the wildness inside of me. 

The soothing salt of the sea, the verdant green and smell of pine, the warmth and cleansing sweat of golden, pulsating sun, the gentle lullaby sung by that man in the moon while I lay awake writing under his light.

And how quickly it can call to arms its forces and ravish me. The roiling sea can wreck the ship of me, the earth can quake beneath my feet and set to fire the roots of my trees, the sun can burn through a false visage and the moon can bleed red into my howling lungs.

There is also the kind of spirituality from songs found in records' dusty grains, hidden tightly in a milk crate. Songs that have made me sing out through my tears: “Gimme, gimme shelter, oh before I fade away,” I've found my saviors in Lennon and the Lizard King, felt pure ecstasy in the voice of Janis and Mr. Fogarty. And I have exalted at the first few chords of that song they say had pleased the lord, Hallelujah.

I have found those same saviors in the fiction books that held my prayers more closely than any bible, Torah, or Koran.  I have written my bleeding heart into their margins, my lonely tears often blurred the ink poked words. Those stories hold more of my faith than any sermon delivered could ever preach.  Because while both proclaim demons exist, only those stories say it is I who has the power to defeat them.

Haven't we all once felt like that heavenly host? Like that rebel angel cast out for wanting too much? Wasn't Eve always hungry for more than just an apple? I am starved for something Catholicism cannot give me. I am only satiated when I am writing.

I found my spiritual awakening in poetry.

I have found my camerado in the open road with Whitman, found salvation in Eliot's Wasteland. I saw the light "burn, burn, burn[ing] like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars" in Big Sur with Kerouac. My soul howled alongside Ginsberg and his "hipsters burning for the ancient heavenly connection to the starry dynamo in the machinery of night." It is in poetry I have found my connection to this world, this vast yet contradictorily small world.

I have found the power of my own voice. Seen my dreams turned reality in the push of ink into paper flesh.

I have learned to further understand my flesh. The subway lines stitched across my palms; how my lungs cushion a crevice deep and dark, protect the fragile heart locked in its curio cabinet of rib bones woven together like the wicker of a basket.

There is something of the confessional in professing my sins in metaphor and simile proclaiming it in stanzas, setting it free. Within the slant of my lettering I find myself, embrace my darkness and free myself. The waters of poetry baptize me anew and in those waters I am cleansed.  My spirit freed from its crown of thorns, inside a poem I am blessed.

My spirituality lies in wild stanzas, fluttering sparrows, bleeding ink on a blue veined perch and I rise and I fly on long forgotten wings and I soar between the tolling of the bells in the towers of your church and my heart converges with the stars in my eyes and what emerges from my soul is holy.

Alise Versella is a 24 year old poet living in the pinelands of New Jersey. Poetry has always been the ether in her veins and the oxygen she breathes. It is her Five Foot Voice, her Onion Heart, as she peels back the layers of herself like a lotus unfurling its petals in order to grow fully in the waters that can sometimes weigh her down. She writes poetry to find herself and save the world. Her hope it that her poetry saves someone’s world from crumbling. Alise believes art has the power to hold us up when we can’t find the legs to stand. You can visit Alise on her Facebook page here or her website here. Her third volume of poetry, A Few Wild Stanzas, is available here. 

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PLEASE CLICK "comments" BELOW TO SHARE A RESPONSE.

~If you are one of the poetesses from 'Journey of the Heart', and would like to appear in this blog, just click here to request an interview. We are excited to learn more about you!~

~If you write poetry and would like to share it on 'Journey of The Heart', click here for submission -guidelines. And thank you for your interest!~  

All Have Been Welcomed by Ruth Calder Murphy

Welcome to The Women Behind The Poetry, where we feature the women from the 'Journey of The Heart: Women's Spiritual Poetry Project'! 

Today, one of our project's first participants, Ruth Calder Murphy, of Paradoxologies, reminisces on when the project first began three years ago and reflects on where it has taken her since. 

I first became aware of the Women’s Spiritual Poetry Project when Catherine, its creator and editor, contacted me, back in October 2012. 

She said that she’d come across my poem titled 'The Dance'. (read here) in The Elephant Journal, and would it be okay if she featured some of it on her (then fairly new) poetry blog.

I had a look at the link she sent me and immediately felt an affinity with what she was trying to achieve there - a virtual space where the voices of women from all walks of life might be heard. Of course, I accepted her invitation with enthusiasm.

Since then, over the last three years, I have shared 53 of my poems through this project!

Over the years, I've watched the project grow, organically but rapidly, into the most beautiful, supportive, affirming community.

The project is a place where the poets are not in competition with each other, but rather in communion with each other, embracing their various and diverse voices and helping to make them heard.

Some women have come to the project with little confidence, in trepidation at the thought of putting their voices “out there”. Others have come from places where putting their hearts and souls into the public domain, in the form of their poetry, has become second nature.

 

All have been welcomed and encouraged!

For myself, poetry is an art form; I get a thrill from wordsmithery - creating word paintings that reflect my innermost thoughts and feelings.

It’s also a release—an escape— and at the same time a focus and an anchor: a constant companion that flows like breathing flows and keeps me keeping on.

The Women’s Spiritual Poetry project and community has added another wonderful facet to my poetry-life and has brought many kindred spirits into it, in the form of my fellow “Journey of the Heart” poets.

I’m thankful for the serendipity that led to that first email, and for the journey that began there.

(Ruth's poetry appears in our new book! Just click here) 

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Ruth Calder Murphy is a writer, artist, music teacher, wife and mother living in London, UK. Her life is wonderfully full of creativity and low-level chaos. She is the author of two published novels, The Scream and The Everlasting Monday, several books of poetry and one or two as-yet unpublished novels. More of Ruth' Spiritual poetry can be found in her book, Spirit Song and the soon-to-be-released sequel, "River Song". She is passionate about celebrating the uniqueness of people, questioning the unquestionable and discovering new perspectives on old wonders. She is learning to ride the waves that come along—peaks and troughs—and is waking up to just how wonderful life really is. You can visit Ruth and view more of her art on her website, or on her writer's page on Facebook. All her books are available on Amazon, here.

The Willingness to Trust by Sandra Allagapen

Welcome to The Women Behind The Poetry, where we feature the women from the 'Journey of The Heart: Women's Spiritual Poetry Project'! 

Today we offer you Sandra Allagapen's heartfelt experience of participating in the creating and publishing of our second volume of poems. 

Sandra Allagapen

Four months ago, I opened an email inviting me to join this group of amazing women from all over the world, to produce the second volume of poems from the Journey of the Heart Women’s Spiritual Poetry Project.

I don't think anyone knew the specifics of how this would or could work. It took a woman with a great vision and an even bigger heart to crystallize that vision for us. That woman is Catherine Ghosh. What unfolded is a story that gives me hope, and this is why I wish to share it with all of you today.

Battered as we are daily by bad news in the media, it's tempting to think: "Oh this sounds too good to be true!" whenever an opportunity arises and to doubt. We may think we are hiding behind the facade of security, when in fact, we do not dare believe in something so good, lest we appear foolish to others if something goes wrong! Yes, there comes a time when one puts all reservations aside and just jumps in! So that’s what we did.

It all happened via a Facebook group that we created to produce the book. 

It consisted of nearly 30 women from several countries, yet everyone contributed whenever they could, in their own time zones. Together we brainstormed and came up with the book’s title, its layout, the chapter themes and lots more, just within a couple of weeks. Discussions and votes took place with grace and respect and we were so inspired by each other, that there was no place for self-consciousness or false modesty. Anything we had to give we offered it to the project simply; be it our time, ideas, our talents or skills.

Ruth, Catherine and Sandra in London

I remember sitting in front of my computer, reading a request from Catherine for volunteers to write the introductions to the various chapters. I watched that post for an hour. My instinct told me which chapter I should offer to write the introduction to. My mind told me that I had no idea what to write or how to even begin! My heart simply asked me: "If this chapter is taken, how would you feel?" and the answer was: "Disappointed in myself". So I watched myself putting my name forward. I was still clueless but strangely not petrified.

 It is easier to step up when surrounded by people who bring out the best in you.

It was humbling to see everyone step forward and offer their gifts to the group. Shailie Dubois shared a painting she did, as inspired by the energy of our group, and it was so deeply perfect, we chose it as our cover. She drew another one to give us a choice. We chose that one too!! They now proudly grace the front and back covers.

Then came the time to find a publisher, and someone else in the group, Alice of Golden Dragonfly Press came forward to offer her services freely. Julia Pankratova drew magical mandalas for every single chapter, making them even more unique and sacred. Shailie created a book trailer, and Catherine another, engaging their many creative talents.

In the beginning, some asked me how much I was going to have to invest in this project, and I replied: “Only my time!” They seemed dubious, yet none of us had to pay anything. If they were to ask me today, my answer would be different: “I also invested my heart”.

Four months ago, a group of women came together and shared whatever they already had: skills, talents, time and above all the love that they are. What emerged amazed us all!

Our new book Where Journeys Meet: The Voice of Women’s Poetry is the result of that. It was released yesterday as we watched it climb to number one on the New Releases in poetry by Women on Amazon, and #2 in the general poetry by women category, right next to Mary Oliver!

All proceeds from our book sales are going to WriteGirl, a nonprofit organization for teenage girls centered on the craft of creative writing and empowerment through self-expression, based in Los Angeles.

The reason I am sharing all of this with you, is that every single one of us is not more deserving of such an opportunity than anyone else. We were simply willing to trust and to work together without ego.

Our prayer is that our poetry book and how it came about inspires you to find your own voice.

My prayer is that this whole project ripples out and inspires other groups to form and share their gifts whatever they may be! Because, as I experienced it, this book proves that all we need is love…and the willingness to trust. And when we do, wonderful and unexpected things happen! I know that now. 

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Sandra Allagapen: I am originally from Mauritius but now live in London UK. I am an accountant as well as an alternative therapist. I find balance in variety. I love reading, jewellery-making, reading, spending time with my loved ones, reading, writing and reading. I am hopeful that one day I’ll be spending more time writing than reading!  I love bright colours, crystals, books, trees, people who are not afraid to speak their minds, and so much more on this gorgeous planet of ours. You may contact me on Facebook .

Be Bold and Trust Your Unique Gifts: From an Interview with Anita Grace Brown

 Welcome to The Women Behind The Poetry, where we interview women from the 'Journey of The Heart: Women's Spiritual Poetry Project'! 

Today we introduce you to Anita Grace Brown, a yoga teacher, mother of two teens and wife of 23 years who believes that life is full of surprises and hopes to continue embracing all the gifts life presents before her. 

I began meditating after a visit to the neurologist when I was concerned about memory and focus issues at the age of 46. Shortly after establishing a regular Centering Prayer practice, the poems began forming on their own. What a healing gift!!

I love writing about nature and healing the most. All of nature speaks volumes with regard to how the simplicity of being is mirrored in watching a leaf fall from a tree or listening to a bird sing, for example.

I usually don’t hesitate to share my poems, as for me there has been this uncanny certainty that the poetry comes from a deep place desiring exposure and release from day one. That the words continue to reveal deeper wisdom as time goes on. That I can trust the message even if my initial understanding is superficial.

I don’t write every day (although I would like to!!) so I generally write when I feel as if something in me is stuck and needs coaxing. Writing and sharing my poetry has facilitated deep healing with regard to shadowy aspects of myself.

Regarding reading poems by others, I love anything by Mary Oliver, Rumi, Hafiz and of course our first anthology!! (found here) Such readings give me a calm recognition of our interconnectedness.

Before sharing my poem here, on the Journey of The Heart Poetry Project, I boldly submitted to Elephant Journal and they have gone on to publish much of my work as well…I feel so blessed!!

I just love sharing my poetry here as the way the words are matched with gorgeous visuals inspires me. Also, the women are always so supportive and encouraging.

I would like to add that you may be wondering if your voice is needed in the world and I am here to say that there is a seat at the table for everyone…including you! Be bold and trust your unique gifts!!!!

(Anita Grace's poetry appears in our new anthology found here) 

Photograph by Robert Sturman
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Anita Grace Brown is a content mother of two teenagers and wife of 23 years, both of which she is grateful for every day. She began writing poetry in the fall of 2012 after a mini-breakdown cracked open her heart and allowed this newly found gift to shine through. Many months later, she is realizing the truth in the saying that ‘breakdown equals spiritual awakening’ as she is pleasantly shocked at how much more peace she has in her spirit and how that is reflected in her life.  Anita loves yoga, dancing, traveling, cooking, walking her golden Sierra, and quiet evenings at home. She especially enjoys teaching meditation to under-served communities and listening to others as they express the same joy at the transformation occurring from such simple but regular practice.

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PLEASE CLICK "comments" BELOW TO SHARE A RESPONSE.

~If you are one of the poetesses from 'Journey of the Heart', and would like to appear in this blog, just click here to request an interview. We are excited to learn more about you!~

~If you write poetry and would like to share it on 'Journey of The Heart', click here for submission -guidelines. And thank you for your interest!~  

We All Have Poetry Flowing Through Us: From an Interview With Tracie Nichols

Welcome to The Women Behind The Poetry, where we interview women from the 'Journey of The Heart: Women's Spiritual Poetry Project'! 

Today we introduce you to the inspired Tracie Nichols who is wild for green wilderness, moonlight and reminding us to commune with the sacred Earth. 

I was eleven when I wrote my first heart-cracked-open-wide poem. 

Ostensibly, it was an assignment from my art teacher. Looking back, I think it was the Universe priming my poetic pumps.

We were asked to write a poem in response to an art film of stampeding horses. The film was a torrent of close-ups of wild eyes, mud spraying, masses of jostling backs and heads and colts falling behind, all to a relentless soundtrack of hooves hitting turf and frightened, excited, squeals, neighs, and grunts. It was visceral. Powerful. Dangerous. I remember my heart thundering nearly as loudly as their hooves.

Then, words pounded out of somewhere deep in my core into my hand with the same torrential rhythm of the hoofbeats I’d just witnessed. I had no idea what was happening, but like the colts, I was swept along on those words, watching as they wrote themselves in my notebook.

Afterwards I wasn’t sure if I was excited, ecstatic, or terrified. All of them, I think. I just knew I wanted to do it again. Even though I didn’t have the words to describe it, some part of me knew I’d touched a resonating strand of the sacred. Since then it feels like every poem I write weaves me more closely into communion with Oneness.

Poems are full body/soul experiences for me. They start as a tingling or humming in my muscles, and usually percolate up through my heart until they burble out of my mouth or hands. 

Sometimes, though, they get stuck. That’s a bit like verbal heartburn, honestly. Some never make it beyond their initial tingling hum. I sometimes wonder whimsically if my marrow makes poems as it’s making blood cells and if some future x-ray might reveal a few stray stanzas.

I’m truly inspired by my own experiences, both internal and external.

I pass a few crow feathers standing in the grass and noticing that sends me into wondering….

Who were you

            when you

                        flew?

Why did you

            leave them

                        behind?

While the pain of a turbulent childhood etches itself into...

There are screams inside.

They’re trapped

in my bones.

Secured by

sinew

so they don’t

sidle out.

There are so many holes

some of my bones whistle, now.

I’m a bone-flute woman.

I moan when the wind blows.

While there are definitely some poems I’ll never publish, as long as it feels like sharing the poem will help make the world better for people or our beloved planet, nowadays I usually take a deep breath and do it. Though poems like Bone Flute Woman, (excerpt above) where I’m feeling flayed and infinitely vulnerable, can be hard to share publicly.

Before stumbling on the Journey of The Heart Poetry Project, I had very quietly shared a few poems on a personal blog with a tiny readership. Since Catherine accepted my first poem, though, I’ve found a new confidence in my writing and in myself.

With a background in Transformative Learning I’m fascinated by the rhythmic process of moving through life changes, so it’s no surprise that one of the most common themes underpinning the poetry I write is personal evolution.

Poems help me blaze trails through terrain that both explains and expands the essence of who I am.

I use poetry to help me navigate, and to help make sense of the ebbs and flows of a constantly changing life. Staying curious, looking with eyes and a heart willing to be awed, this is what helps me find a poem in everything from a simple feather to complex relationships.

I firmly believe everyone has poetry flowing through them. 

Whether it comes out as words, or in colors, yarn, fabric, HTML or other code, theoretical math, cuisine, inventions, or something else, releasing the poetry humming in our bones helps us explain ourselves to ourselves, and helps us introduce ourselves to the world.

Life flows tidally. It seems we’re always navigating incoming or outgoing waves of change. My poetry weaves a sturdy boat for me to ride those waves with my curiosity and confidence as sails, often shouting “huzzah!” into the wind.

Where does your poetry take you?

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Tracie Nichols has written poetry since she was 11 years old. While most of her early works are gone (this is probably a good thing) she continues to scribble poems at odd hours about everything from the state of her soul to the sounds of her kitchen. In truth, though, her poetic heart belongs to the deep green places of our wildly, fiercely, sacred, earth. When she isn’t making poetry with words she’s listening to the whispers of the green world, making alchemy with plants and stones and moonlight wildness. Tracie blogs, shares resources and generally nurtures at her website here. Connect with her also on Twitter or Facebook. 

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Writing From The Heart: From An Interview With Ginny Brannan

Welcome to The Women Behind The Poetry, where we interview women from the 'Journey of The Heart: Women's Spiritual Poetry Project'! 

Today we introduce you to the lovely Native New Englander and country girl, Ginny Brannan, who believes that it's never too late to pursue something you love! 

I discovered poetry in High School.

I went to an open-concept school, pretty forward thinking for the small Vermont town where I grew up in the 1970’s, and Poetry was one of our class choices for English.

 I loved reading and studying the classic poets, but when it came to writing our own poetry, I felt stifled; discouraged by a teacher who was more about her own vision of structure and content rather than encouraging our creative expression.  

Disheartened, I shelved my own writing, and many years would pass before I would seriously attempt to write poetry again.

Fast forward to 2009: after losing my job of 18 years and spending several discouraging months job hunting, I had fallen into a rather dark place. My brother and dear friend suggested I attempt to write again, to express what I was feeling, and suddenly I discovered a creative outlet for the emotional roller coaster I was on.

For me, poetry has had a cathartic and healing effect on my life. When I was at my lowest it pulled me up, helping me to find perspective and balance again.

I find that my writing flows best when I draw from what I know, whether it is what I am feeling, where I’ve come from, what is around me or touching my life at any given moment.

I also find great pleasure in trying to capture in words the beauty of the place where I live— the ever-changing seasons, the flora and fauna of my New England home. I have always worn my heart on my sleeve, and have discovered that in writing what I know, that the words flow naturally.

The hardest topics I’ve written about are the ones that make my heart ache.

 I wrote several poems through my sister-in-law’s struggle with cancer and eventual passing ranging from frustration, to anger, to the eventual acceptance of her choices and what was to come. I have written and captured current headlines from the Aurora, CO theater shooting, to the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown CT, to the loss of the Robin Williams, one most brilliant actors and comedians of our time. I also work with the elderly and often write of their struggles with aging and loneliness—important topics—but also a sad and constant reminder of the road we will all be facing one day.

The inspiration for my poetry comes from many places: more often than not from real life events— something happening in my own life or from the news of that day.

Perhaps a place I’m going or somewhere I have been will call me to pick up my pen. Sometimes photo or an image will pull up memories or emotions from the past to prompt a poem. I find that my best writing comes when I tap my inner self and examine the feelings and emotions that an idea evokes.

In my experience, I have learned that forcing words leaves a piece feeling ‘flat,’ whereas drawing from my inner being—exposing a piece of myself and allowing it enter into what I am writing—allows the poem to live, to breathe.

My biggest hesitation with sharing my writing is that ultimate feeling of ‘vulnerability;’ the fear of being judged, criticized, and torn apart as not being “good enough,” a feeling that stems from the low self-esteem I felt in my childhood years.

Losing my mom at an early age and being raised by my dad, I frequently felt awkward and lacking of the social graces that my peers seemed to be endowed with. This turned out be both a blessing and a curse—I learned to be independent, self-reliant and developed a tough outer skin, but I also learned to hold many feelings and emotions inside.

Spiritually, the gift that poetry has given me is that it has allowed me to examine and express my past, my life, and has endowed me with the balance I have always craved but never knew where to find until I started writing.

There are many poets and writers who have influence me and have had a profound effect on my writing. I have an affinity for classic form poetry, such as the Villanelle; ‘Mad Girl’s Love Song” by Sylvia Plath is a favorite of mine. I am very fond of all of Emily Dickinson’s works; an under-appreciated poet during her time, she made her home in Amherst, MA just short distance north of where I reside. My “darker side” loves the writings of Poe.  

My all-time favorite poet is Robert Frost, whose words capture my New England home and lifestyle as no other poet ever has.

The words, the passion, the honesty that shines in the works of these poets continually inspires me to follow in their footsteps and write what I am passionate about.

 I feel exceptionally blessed and honored to have been invited by Catherine Ghosh to share my work at Journey of the Heart and to be a part of such an amazing community of contemporary female poets.

Also I would be remiss not mention the many other writers and friends in today’s poetry community whom I have come know to admire— men and women who aren’t afraid to share a piece of their hearts in their words.  

Whenever a piece of writing stays with me or touches me in some way, it inspires me to strive for improvement in my own work; my ultimate hope being that perhaps my words will touch and inspire others as their words have inspired me.

My best advice to new poets and writers starting out on this path is to write with honesty and passion from the inside out; write what you know, what you feel.

Write from your heart. Do not obsess over perfection—form, format and meter come with time.

 Just reach out and embrace your creative side, let the words flow, and never let criticism from others discourage you from following the path of your poetic journey.
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Virginia “Ginny” Brannan, a self-described native New Englander and country girl, resides in Massachusetts with her husband of 34 years, her grown son and five cats—2 domestic indoor cats whom she adopted, and 3 feral outdoor cats who ‘adopted’ her!! Growing up an only child, she was blessed at age 16 to be welcomed into a “family of the heart,” who embraced her as their own. She describes herself on her blog as: “…coming to this ‘dance’ a bit later than some, but the most important thing is she’s come ” proving that it is never too late to pursue something you love! You can find Ginny on her blog Inside Out Poetry  here, listen to her recite her poems here or connect with her Ginny on twitter or Google plus here. Ginny has been published in The D’Verse Anthology: Voices of Contemporary World Poetry, Journey of the Heart: An Anthology of Spiritual Poetry by Women, And is proud and honored to be included in the soon-to-be released “Where Journey’s Meet: The Voice of Women’s Poetry” to be available from Dragonfly Press. Our “sisterhood” rocks!!

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PLEASE CLICK "comments" BELOW TO SHARE A RESPONSE.

~If you are one of the poetesses from 'Journey of the Heart', and would like to appear in this blog, just click here to request an interview. We are excited to learn more about you!~

~If you write poetry and would like to share it on 'Journey of The Heart', click here for submission -guidelines. And thank you for your interest!~  

Our Words Are Our Strongest Weapons: From an Interview With Alise Versella

Welcome to The Women Behind The Poetry, where we interview women from the 'Journey of The Heart: Women's Spiritual Poetry Project'! 

Today we introduce you to the young and compassionate poet Alise Versella, who passionately believes that poetry has the power to hold us up when we can't find a firm foundation to stand on. 

I first began writing poetry in the 6^th grade after watching A Ring of Endless Light on television and the Color of Friendship. The congressman's speech at the end of that movie brought an 11 year old me to tears and that was when I discovered the power of words.

It’s easy for me to write poems on any subject, really. I’m inspired by life, music, cinema, the news and the stories of individuals. If it’s something I’ve personally experienced, it becomes even easier for me to write about it.

I consider myself an empathic person so I often write poems about the experiences of others, giving them a voice.

Today I'd say the subject of race is harder for me to write about, I have so much to say but can't figure out the right words with which to say it.

My biggest fear in sharing my poetry is that my words could literally get me in big trouble, but I think I am not famous enough yet for too many important people to care too much about what I write, so I send it out into the ether regardless. And I just do it all for me, I have something to say and I said it. That's how I move beyond it. I am a writer first and foremost. The public doesn't have to like what I say but it's important I find the strength to say it anyway.

Through writing poetry I have discovered that I am strong, that I am powerful. Words heal wounds and bring us out of our darkness and into the light.

Sometimes when I'm writing a piece I feel like I am no longer in control of my pen: That I have been possessed by a higher being or maybe just a heightened version of myself. I find religion in poetry, in the cathartic release of those words that just expel from me beyond my control. I consider that time "possessed" as a spiritual process.

Writing poetry has helped me cope through the many trials of life; my poetry has served as the mile markers on the road that is my life.

I find it impossible to keep a journal so I write poetry instead.

Reading the poems of others has an inspiring and calming effect on me; it's like listening to a really good song on the radio that gives me goose bumps. I love T.S Eliot, Walt Whitman, Allen Ginsberg and The Rose of Battle by Yeats. I have a portion of that one memorized! A poem called Becca inspired my third book. Ferlinghettis's Alienation: two bees. Ian Thomas's book I wrote this for you: pleasefindthis is superb!

I was first invited to the Journey of the Heart Poetry Project by Catherine Ghosh who asked me to submit a poem to spotlight my latest book release, for which I'm forever grateful. I have published three poetry book: Five Foot Voice, Onion Heart, A Few Wild Stanzas. I’ve also had my work featured on Rebelle Society and a Writers-editors online contest.

Being published in the Journey of The Heart project felt wonderful to me, as I loved being showcased alongside so many bright, talented women whose work I'd seen appear across many internet venues.

This is a project full of beautiful women speaking their minds and coming together to create. Creation is the most beautiful thing!

It is an honor to be part of this project and to have my poems picked for the new anthology Where Journeys Meet: The Voice of Women’s Poetry.

 It is a thrill to be offered the opportunity to send my words out to be read by others in hopes that they will mean something to someone, that they could help someone, just like the words of others have helped and inspired me.

I am young and still finding my way and who I am is changing day to day. But I'm learning my core values and my mission is becoming somewhat about teaching people the power of poetry.

Our words are our strongest weapons and that no one can take that away from us.

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Alise Versella is a 24 year old poet living in the pinelands of New Jersey. Poetry has always been the ether in her veins and the oxygen she breathes. It is her Five Foot Voice, her Onion Heart, as she peels back the layers of herself like a lotus unfurling its petals in order to grow fully in the waters that can sometimes weigh her down. She writes poetry to find herself and save the world. Her hope it that her poetry saves someone’s world from crumbling. Alise believes art has the power to hold us up when we can’t find the legs to stand. You can visit Alise on her Facebook page here or her website here. Her third volume of poetry, A Few Wild Stanzas, is available here. 

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~If you are one of the poetesses from 'Journey of the Heart', and would like to appear in this blog, just click here to request an interview. We are excited to learn more about you!~

~If you write poetry and would like to share it on 'Journey of The Heart', click here for submission -guidelines. And thank you for your interest!~