The pandemic has taught us self-reflection and family truly matters. Mom will love Christian Faith Publishing author Debbie Monetggia’s new book, “Tears of Change: Poems, Reflections and Quotes for a Meaningful Life.” Debbie’s delightfully refreshing and original poetry collection accompanied by carefully selected quotes and imagery that both reflect on and complement the author’s faith-inspired poetry.
FWM: How did your gift to write poetry help you through anxiety?
Writing poetry was a gateway for me to express my emotions, both the fearful and joyful ones. Many of my poems reflect the emotional and physical way I felt when moving through my anxiety. Expressing myself through writing poetry was a very cathartic, healing process. It helped me release some of those toxic emotions that needed to be dealt with. I discovered my gift to write this poetry through journaling. Journaling was a powerful source for me to release trivial surface thoughts and feelings. Once these were removed it gave me the lens to dwell deeper into writing about my true and authentic self, my poetry. I can’t emphasize how important journaling was and still is for me. It is a coming home, a true avenue of self-discovery. I like to look at journaling as ‘love letters to myself’.
FMW: Tears of Change is a book of unique poems that unite women and the commonalities of mother and womanhood through poetry. Tell us more.
The poems speak directly to one’s heart and chronicle the many common emotions we all deal with through our daily walks in life. The poems are written in lyrical style, highlighting expressions and deep emotions of joy, gratitude, grace, sorrow, and acceptance and renewal.
The following are a few passages from poems in my book:
‘Fear…
not foe but friend’
The thoughts that you fear
Are ones that must be faced
Open up your arms
Accept their cold embrace
When fear shows its presence
It finds its resting place
Your mind begins to rustle
The heart begins to race…….
‘Honor Your Tears’
Tears flow into words
Words flow into poetry
Poetry flows into music
Music forms a song
What a wonderful gift
Allowing one’s heart to dance…….
Tears of Change may be found at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and and on the website, tearsofchangepoetry.com
FWM: How have tears change you?
Tears are very cleansing to the heart and soul. For me, tears have been the connection of bringing opportunity and happiness into my life. A springboard toreleasing the old and accepting the new. Tears represent transformation. Tell me that one does not feel better after a big, strong, cry. I believe tears move you to a place of acceptance and change within yourself. I write about this in my poems, ‘Honor your Tears’ and ‘Tears of Pain’.
Poem for self-reflection:
“The Mirror of Faith”
Look into your eyes, the window to your soul
Look deep inside, and an old friend will unfold
This friend has been waiting, a long time to be found
This is your best companion, and has always been around
Look into your eyes, the window to your soul
Feel those hidden feelings that have never been told
Whether it be joy, or whether it be pain
Let the feelings surface, the truth always will sustain…..
A Poem for the Preciousness of Family:
“A Child’s World”
I’m only a child please watch me grow
Teach me the things I need to know
My world is little I can’t yet see
My journey in life my destiny
Guide me now when I am small
It’s these years that count the most of all
When you scold It’s hard to understand
Punish me with a guiding hand
Not one so firm it hurts my pride
Let me know you are on my side…….
I think so many of us shut down or chose not to recognize some of our emotions. It’s easy to experience our joyful emotions, but it’s the painful ones that need to be moved through and recognized. There is joy on the other side of pain. Moving through the painful emotions is a channel to discovering our true authentic self. When we are true to ourselves it is then our gifts and talents begin to unfold. It happened to me and I know it can happen to you.
There are also poems for women and moms that can move them through self-discovery, guides to helping them find their true authentic self. A truly inspirational read. The severity and pain of my anxiety forced me to reach out to a higher power, my belief is God. Any type of earthly remedies, i.e. glass of wine, anti-anxiety medications only exasperated the anxiety. As I reached out in prayer and started writing and trusting in myself to heal without substance, I truly felt divinity surrounding me. It is through the tough times in our life you have to hold onto something to get through them. In many of my writings I felt guided, meaning I was the vehicle in which the words moved through. I so eloquently talk about this journey with God in my last poem in the book called ‘My Walk’. There is a reason why this is my last poem. It has been done, the completion of my book and it is where I found my faith.
Poetry can bring one to a place of self-examination of their own conscious when reading and absorbing its sentiment and depth. Whether it be joy or pain, we are all human and experience the same emotions that are written through the voice of my poetry. The vulnerability of poetry can be an avenue to help one move through the more uncomfortable or fearful areas within themselves. Joy is sure to be found on the other side of any fear.
FWM: What have people said about your poems?
Several people that have purchased my book have informed me that they pick up my book and read a poem or two a couple times a week. They told me that it put them in a ‘happy place.
