Blame

The blow was thunderous,

landing on the right side 

of my head ferociously.

His fist heavy,

his aim direct,

my head swaying

like a seesaw on

a stormy day. 

A tremor,

a quake,

spreading,

shifting the balance of life.

The right hemisphere

in a fog,

in oblivion of

words drifting,

poetry fading,

fading,

lost.

Baby weeping,

walls shaking,

tears falling,

television sounds in the distance.

Did I blame myself,

for raising my voice?

When he assaulted boundaries drawn?

My eyes raging,

my eyes bulging, 

wounded.

Baby weeping,

walls shaking,

tears falling,

television sounds in the distance.

Did I blame myself for his anger?

His abandonment?

His isolation?

I fell from the clouds 

into unfamiliar darkness.

Baby weeping,

walls shaking,

tears falling,

television sounds in the distance.

Did I blame myself?

I did.

Nine Years

On this day nine years ago, I began to blog at a sun kissed life. It was a journey that led me to a strong connection with an online blogging community, a poets community and friendships that have grown and lasted to this day. The blog afforded me the opportunity to share my passion with others, to be vulnerable and to grow. I excavated the past and I allowed it to float to the surface. I walked unhinged and honored the grief of the loss of both my parents. It was a journey of a mother of two boys, one a man and one a child and finally a journey of becoming a grandmother to a delicious little boy named Aiden, that most of you know through my poetry.
Nine years of self reflection, connection, dreams that I had forgotten to dream for myself. This year my book, Second Chances entered the world. The book is a reminder that it’s never too late to dream. The book is a reminder that there are second chances and we can change our narratives. We can show up for our grief, we can be brave through our shame, we can change and become a better version of ourselves. The book is not a pat on the back for a job well done, it is exactly the opposite. It is about thanking everyone that has been a part of my life, my tribe of friends that show up with their love and support. It’s about family and those friends that we choose as family because of the connection and love that we share. Love is everything. Kindness is everything. I shall always remember that.

A New Day

A new morning,

a new dawn.

At daylight 

I rose with the sun.

My light

illuminated the way

to acceptance.

I own the past,

I embrace how vulenrable,

fragile and glorious it is.

I stand as a warrior,

shame lifted,

guilt vanished,

inner peace settled into

all the porous spaces.

A Whisper

A sigh,

a whisper,

in solitude 

I remember.

My blood flows

like the rivers of his birthplace.

They too,

carry your memory as I do

In the windswept tress,

in the forgotten leaves,

small grains

of all the yesterdays 

left behind.

In the sigh,

in the whisper,

I remember,

but will you?

I want to thank all of you that have extended support and love by reading my book, Second Chances. All proceeds benefit charity. I am thrilled to have received pics from you! Thank you for tagging yourselves with the book. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

The painting in this post is of Emily Carr. I fell in love with her work while I was in Canada.

Giveaway Second Chances

Fr

Friends!

Please tag yourself with Second Chances. There will be a giveaway at the end of the month for two lucky winners! You can put your picture on Facebook or Instagram or send it to me in a private message ! Two $25 Amazon gift cards to two lucky winners!

Interview With Poets United

Hi There!

I am here, http://poetryblogroll.blogspot.com/2019/05/blog-of-week-ayala-zarfjian.html

Please go check my interview with Sherry Marr and be sure to leave a comment so I know that you stopped by! Thank you for your continued support!

Book Release

Second Chances: Poetry from a Sun-Kissed Life

by Ayala Zarfjian (Author)

Be the first to review this item

ISBN-13: 978-1732577299

ISBN-10: 1732577293

 

 

Dear Friends,

My book is out!

I am thrilled!

All my hard work in these pages

 

 Friends wanted to remind you that all proceeds from my book are going to charity. The first charity is WriteGirl it is a Los Angeles-based creative writing and mentoring organization that spotlights the power of a girl and her pen. I feel it affords girls freedom that is much needed in their community. The other charity is Hope Outreach which we have been involved with for years. For the hundreds of families in the HOPE Outreach Center service area that live with daily stress of facing hunger or homelessness, the staff from the charity may be able to help. The charity organization, which is based in Davie, has some limited support services for low income families and the working poor in Broward County, as noted below.
Those residents that are struggling to provide adequate food for their families can turn to HOPE Outreach Center’s Pantry. This service offers them a lifeline. It does so through the distribution of non-perishable foods and vouchers that have been donated.

 

It means the world to me to have your support. Thank you!

 

 

 

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