Tag: rainbow babies

Velvet Flame Poetry Reading/Book Launch

On By Anna EastlandIn Arts and Entertainment, Friendship, Maternal Health, motherhood, PoetryLeave a comment
Join us at this free event!

My sequel poetry book, Velvet Flame : the poetry in life after loss , came out in November and I’ll have the pleasure of reading from it alongside the lovely Christina Myers on January 13th. She has wonderful books on midlife, Half-Way Home , and also on postpartum depression, Beyond Blue , as well as a very funny romance novel, The List of Last Chances . Her honest and hilarious reflections on growing up in the 80’s and 90’s brought tears to my eyes at her last reading.

Our readings take place at a wonderful little treasure-trove of a bookstore called Albany Books in Tsawwassen, as part of a monthly local author reading series hosted by the Delta Literary Arts Society. I’m thrilled to be one of the guests this time!

My poetry will touch on themes such a the bittersweet arrival of rainbow babies, the messy struggle of family life, hope and the power of female friendship.

Come join us for a fun evening of literature and laughter, and enjoy having tea and snacks together! Hope to see you there!

A picture of the wonderful reading by Keay Francis last month, hosted by my dear friend Geneviève Wynand.

Sequel Poetry Book Velvet Flame Now Published!

On By Anna EastlandIn Poetry, WritingLeave a comment

I’m so happy to announce that my new poetry book has finally flown the coop and is available on Amazon! I’ve started writing some of the poems in it a decade ago…while I was pregnant with my first rainbow baby, who is about to turn 10!!

It’s a crazy endeavour writing and editing a poetry book while in the midst of kid chaos, but I gathered poetry in the cracks, and have finally found the time and tech support to get my book launched.

You can expect poems about:

  1. Rainbow babies
  2. Nature
  3. Family Life
  4. Struggle
  5. Friendship
  6. Travel
  7. Contemplation
  8. Writing and Work

Today I went for a celebratory launch-lunch with my husband and toddlers…and plan to have some book launch get togethers in the future for those close by. I’ll keep you posted. Let me know if I should save you a copy of my book!

And for everyone…here’s the Amazon link so you can take a look!

velvet flame: the poetry in life after loss

Thanks for all your love and support!!

Anna ☺️

A Walk to See Her Sister

On By Anna EastlandIn Family Life, Stillbirth2 Comments

The toddler tumbles like laughter

over the dry grass.

Disregarding all signs of mourning,

she chases the crows with open delight.

She greets everyone she sees,

all the mummy’s and daddies and “bapa’s,”

convinced each one is part of her family.

She even ambles after a thin, pink-shirted man

with a slight bend in his back,

calling: “Bapa! Bapa!”

When we reach her sister’s grave

she sits happily on my lap,

and leans over to pat the “Staahhh.”

I tell her it’s Josephine, a name she can’t yet say.

Unphased, she takes her nursing blankie

and flaps it about and pats it

until her sister’s stone is nicely tucked in

with her name peeking above the blanket.

“Baby, nigh, nigh,” she tells me.

Then grabbing her blankie

she trundles off to seek new adventures

and waves, “Baa-bye!”

trusting I will follow.

I kiss the dusty stone

and rise.

Upstairs, Downstairs

On By Anna EastlandIn Friendship, motherhood4 Comments

This poem was written for my former downstairs neighbour and dear friend who has now returned home to Egypt with her husband and children. It was an honour and a joy to share our lives with them, and to find a warm connection that overcame any differences.

Happy Mother’s Day to all moms everywhere!! Peace be with you. May you always be supported, embraced and encouraged by your fellow moms all over the world! Go team! 🙂

 

Upstairs: a crazy crew of kids

six littles bouncing, dancing, singing, banging.

Downstairs: two small sweeties,

running, shouting, playing, laughing.

 

Upstairs, downstairs

the mothers scold, cook, cuddle and caress.

 

Upstairs, downstairs

the mothers mother

day and night.

 

Upstairs, downstairs

the women sing

in Arabic and English,

songs of faith and lullabies

unique yet universal,

of one heart.

 

Upstairs, downstairs

the women weep,

mourn lost babies–

precious ones snatched away too soon–

in each other’s arms

these mothers find warm comfort.

 

Upstairs, downstairs

the women pray,

observe Lent and Ramadan,

break their fasts and rejoice together

over homemade sweets.

 

Upstairs, downstairs

the women hope,

cherishing the new lives

nestled in their wombs…

little tiny babies

due at the same time.

May they be best friends!!

 

In the world there is hatred

but not in our house.

Upstairs, downstairs

there is love.