Annette Maria Velasquez

Daughter of Diasporas Annette Maria Velasquez

Inside these pages the reader will encounter magical moments, like gems, epiphanies-the mystical beauty found in nature, testimonies to endurance and a celebration of survival and the survivor. There is turbulence and struggle yes, but also the joy of finding faith and perserverance. I speak of introspection, aging and provide a look at human relationships in all of their intensity and splendor. There are entire chapters devoted to the myriad dimensions of society and politics- and there is much history. (My parents' during the Hungarian Revolution and current border issues.) I write poetry which speaks as an outcry against injustice and corruption, I write of the dark netherworld of America's criminal justice system and of mental illness, also the plight of war veteran's and the devastation of miscarriage... My "Mexico Poems" often deal with violence and disturbing subject matter. Yet I speak of these in condemnation of such violence and as a first-hand account. (I lived in Ciudad Juarez from 2009-2015- the worst years of the narco wars- when the city was the murder capital of the world.) In conclusion, I hope that my words not only startle but that they lend courage and hope- that they motivate the reader to ponder deeply about what it is to live in a rapidly changing world, a world full of problems but also tremendous good- a world where each of us can strive in our own way, to make a difference and help alleviate suffering. As a poet, this is my passion- my personal goal.