If you love poetry, then you are going to love this next book and author. "Beauty and Mercy: BAM! Poems in Pandemic" by Geovanni Brewer is sure to please. Take a look at the book and meet the author in today's Author Interview.
Beauty and Mercy BAM!: Poems in Pandemic
Paperback – July 2, 2020
by Geovanni Brewer (Author)
Have you
experienced consciousness that runs from stark pain to unquenchable hope?
Expose yourself to the resilience of the human spirit and grow.
This
power-packed book of poems was inspired by the recent events surrounding the
global pandemic of COVID-19.
The poems
came flooding unto the pages, seemingly documenting every emotion in real-time.
Each poem
reflects a level of consciousness that runs the gamut from stark pain to
unquenchable hope.
Thirty-three
poems laced with symbolism of the passion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
As the
book took form and came to life, another pandemic sought to divide and break us
apart. Racism in America
is the name of this seemingly new, but ever present virus.
I could
not resist, and wrote one last poem to shine a light on this part of our human
story. The poem is called I
Can’t Breathe!
This book is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit when anchored in love and service to one another.
Geovanni Brewer (Author)
Tell your readers a little about yourself, where you grew up,
where you live now, where you went to school etc. Let them get to know the
personal you.
I was born in
Panama Central America and raised in Queens New York; I currently live in Los
Angeles, CA. Along with my partner Jeff Fischgrund we own Black & White TV,
Inc., an award-winning television production company. I have two adult sons,
both wonderfully creative. As a documentary producer and world traveler, I
relish exploring new cultural and creative frontiers. As a result of my travels,
I have learned to speak fluent Italian and Portuguese. Spanish was my first
language from Panama. I believe that immersive experiences that draw you out of
your comfort zone deliver the most value to your life. My love of photography
has also brought so much of the world into focus, I let the lens capture the
heart of the moment.
What inspired you to author this book?
This book was written totally out of my comfort zone. I had
never written poetry before, and I am honest and fearless enough to allow the
power of the creative process to flow instead of judging myself as I dove in.
As the pandemic became a significant factor in our collective lives, and LA was
put in total shut down, I, like many others, turned to my faith for
encouragement and relief. It was in one of those moments that began to
freestyle in the format. The poems are speaking simply, humbly, some in clichés
but always honestly.
Where did you get the inspiration for your book's cover?
I thought that a rose growing out of concrete was the perfect
illustration of the possibilities and hoped we could focus on during the
pandemic.
Who has been the most significant influence on you personally
and as a writer?
I highly respect the brutal honesty of Maya Angelou, Alice
Walker, James Baldwin. Their ability to take a snapshot of the times and
express it with articulate lyricism was so cool to me.
What were your struggles or obstacles you had to overcome to get
this book written?
The blank pages were a real struggle, but once I got out of my head
and let it flow, I knew I could get it done.
Not knowing the nuances of the format was a challenge, but again I had to trust that someone out there would be blessed by the simply unvarnished message of the book.
Tell your readers about your book.
The book is a collection of 33/34 poems writing during
quarantine in Los Angeles. I allowed my Christian faith to guide and lead the
process and message. Each poem is a textual documentary of the moment through
the filter of my personal beliefs. I wrote the last poem, "I Can't
Breathe," as the pandemic of racism and social injustice became exposed.
Who is your target audience, and why?
My audience is anyone who believes in God. And although I am a
follower of Jesus, it is not just a Christian book. It is for anyone that
wishes someone could voice their innermost feelings, concerns, and hope in a
way that can be easily digested.
What do you consider your greatest success in life?
Success is a tricky concept, and it differs depending on the
personal metrics.
For me, recognizing my power as a spiritual being and living in the consciousness of the inside out is a very important indicator of success. It's about giving more.
For me, recognizing my power as a spiritual being and living in the consciousness of the inside out is a very important indicator of success. It's about giving more.
What one unique thing sets you apart from other writers in your
genre?
