Introducing

Close to Home:

A Poetic Memoir

This work is inspired by curiosity, compassion, and courage.

My pursuit of survival, after hardship, love, and longing, has blossomed into a memoir featuring poetry, photos, prompts, and illustrations.

Close to Home: A Poetic Memoir, gives voice to the interwoven parts of self, now honored, forgiven, and loved.

PURCHASE HERE

Book cover for 'Close to Home: A Poetic Memoir' featuring a watercolor underwater scene with jellyfish, coral, seaweed, a ladybug, a compass, and text with author names Jay, Renee, Nicole.
Nighttime scene with a crescent moon, partially cloudy sky, and silhouettes of trees and houses.

MELT

Every sunset is a rainbow

Gentle kiss of promise

Sweet light rains flow within

Still steal water and light

Rest beneath your bridge

Taste color free

Sweet forgiving rainbow

AFRAID

The woman I made, isn’t truly my own.

The image I gave, doesn't capture true tone.

The love I shared, returned, too will leave.

The vibrations I escape, too sinking.

Silence, before I drown.

Honor the cries they sound.

View of Mount St. Helens with snow on top, from a marina with boats, a wooden dock, and a sign that reads 'No smoking or motorcycles on wharf'.
A scenic view of lush green foliage in the foreground with a distant body of water and hills under a partly cloudy sky.

HEAVYWEIGHT

When I said goodbye, I didn’t realize

choosing you was choosing loneliness. 

My heart aches from the soles of my feet,

Corrosive love.

With Invitation

View from an airplane window shows clouds below and blue sky above, with part of the airplane wing and engine visible.

“I love, “Fearless (For My Nieces)”.

Please let me know when you are doing another reading!”

- A Warm Reading Attendee

“This warmed my heart. Thank you for sharing your story!”

- A Peer Review

“Love it!

❤️❤️❤️🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤❤️❤️❤️

🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍💕💕💕💕💕

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾”

- A Warm Reading Attendee

“The illustrations are beautiful! I really like “Bloom”!”

- Peer Review

Frequently Asked Questions

  • We do not currently accept returns. Please gift this book to a library or loved one.

  • Typically printed in 3-5 business days

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  • We do not currently accept returns. Please gift this book to a library or loved one.

  • Not at this time. Please follow Upcoming Events to find opportunities to connect with the author.