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Hopelessness To Hope
The Valley of Your Life is a collection of moving poems that draws inspiration from iconic works of art. What was the inspiration behind this concept?
It was spring 2020. I was on a sabbatical leave putting together my first book of poems, Swimming, Not Drowning. When I finished sending my manuscript to different publishers and was waiting to hear from them, I was hungry for inspiration to write more poetry, so I turned to works of art. I started with painters I was familiar with and loved, like Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet, Frida Khalo . . . , and I couldn’t stop. I kept on searching for paintings that talked to my heart, and they kept on coming to me. Visual art has a way to evoke strong feelings in me. Once the feelings take root in my body, I need to let them out in the form of poetry.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this collection?
I am drawn to strong emotions and strong emotions create strong reactions. I see life in terms of light and shadows and paradoxically, the shadows that I often find myself in and struggle so much to accept are what bring me to the light. Once I saw that clearly and started to appreciate this unavoidable and necessary duality, I had the overall idea behind my book. Life is full of shadows, aspects that are very challenging, moments when we may feel it is easier to give up than to continue pushing through. Disappointment, rejection, conflict, cruelty, war, mental health issues, physical limitations, disease, ultimately death, all these are shadows we need to confront, learn how to live with, even embrace, because they are the other side of the light. Those are what make us human and help us connect with each other. Those are what make life the beautiful experience it is.
How did you decide on the title of this poetry collection?
Originally, I wanted to entitle my book, From Your Desert to the Valley of Your Life, which is the last line of my proem, “The Dance of Life.” I wanted to convey the whole idea behind the book that we have the ability to move from our arid moments to more fertile territory, from hopelessness to hope, and when we do that, we emerge stronger. Then, I realized it was too long and decided that The Valley of Your Life also conveyed the ups and downs we encounter in life and the beauty behind it all.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from The Valley of Your Life?
Art transforms. Both visual art and poetry touch us in ways that awake us from within. We need more art appreciation and less false idols and false beliefs in our lives. The world would be a much better place. We are all pure light deep within, but we cannot see it until we push through and uncover all the shadows that are part of being human, living a human life. I hope this book serves as a reminder.
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The Valley of Your Life
The Valley of Your Life, by Mari-Carmen Marin, is a collection of moving poems that draws inspiration from iconic works of art. Marin’s poetry breathes new life into visual masterpieces, offering readers a meditative journey through themes of love, pain, contemplation, and resilience. Each poem is a reflection not just on the artwork it describes, but on the universal human experiences that art evokes.
Mari-Carmen Marin’s writing is deeply emotive, often weaving a delicate balance between vivid imagery and raw emotion. In the poem Vincent’s Night Sky, inspired by Van Gogh’s The Starry Night, Marin captures the swirling turbulence of the painting while simultaneously conveying a sense of longing and transcendence. Her ability to mirror the mood of the artwork while exploring her inner landscape is a testament to her skill as a poet. The reader is invited to experience these emotions as if they are standing right beside the poet, gazing at the same piece of art, lost in its depths.
Marin’s poems also explore darker, more somber themes, where she uses Doris Clare Zinkeisen’s haunting depiction of the aftermath of war to confront the reader with the atrocities of history. The visceral imagery and the poignant reflections on suffering and humanity are powerful, leaving a lasting impact. Marin does not shy away from exploring the shadows within the light, making her work deeply resonant and thought-provoking.
The poems are infused with a deep reverence for the artwork, which beautifully captures the essence of each piece. In The Veil That Burned, the tension between the characters’ desires and the constraints they face is masterfully conveyed, reflecting the emotional restraint depicted in the painting. This approach aligns perfectly with the ekphrastic tradition, and while it maintains a certain artistic distance, it invites the reader to explore the layers of meaning and emotion within the work, encouraging a thoughtful and introspective engagement with the poet’s voice.
The Valley of Your Life is a beautifully crafted collection that will appeal to lovers of both art and poetry. Mari-Carmen Marin’s work is a testament to the enduring power of art to inspire and provoke thought. This book is ideal for readers who appreciate a contemplative, art-inspired journey through the complexities of life and emotion. Whether you’re an art enthusiast or simply someone who enjoys well-crafted, evocative poetry, this collection is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Pages: 104 | ISBN : 1962082245
LITERARY TITAN 