Books
Dancing Toward The Light
While speaking with my Publisher, William S. Peters Sr. aka Bill, concerning the titling of this book, my third; we came to a mutual conclusion that was evident in my poetry / musings and real life actions, that I have been continually . . . Dancing Toward the Light. To compile the poems and musings in this book, I wanted to include some of my angry poems but the truth is, I hardly have any left in me. Dancing Toward the Light is not an arduous journey in book or life. I have welcomed most changes by making sure I always wear my dancing shoes. You never know if you’ll be invited to Boogie – Woogie, Tango, Ballet or a Waltz. Be ready!!! This beautiful world has many dances and dance floors to explore and enjoy . . . if we simply allow it.
The stretching of our bodies reminds me of my own growth. The stretching of our minds to embrace change and to be more understanding. Our life is like that. I knew somewhere inside that I am whole, healthy, wealthy, wise and wonderful. Yes me! I just had to learn that I am responsible for my own happiness and not dependent on another. When we get our esteem from others it is temporary and will let us down, we actually let ourselves down. People are people, and may not feel like propping us up on any given day, not to mention it is not their duty. My job is to prop myself up, believe in myself and to fully trust myself. You will find many poems reflecting this throughout this offering of my journey including the push – pull, letting go of ego and realizing self – worth.
I vaguely remember where I was when I wrote 5 degrees to separation, my first book back in 2002. It was more of an eclectic commentary of where I was. I purged myself poem after poem onto the pages with anguish and fear, looking for relief with none to be found, I thought. Being abused as a child and as an adult it left me wondering what was wrong with me; even though this was a cathartic exercise to write it out day after day. It would take a few more years to unraveling and literally re-birthing myself to understand.
Thanks to my Creator and Inner Child, I started to address these issues over a couple of years. Not as in a Psychologist’s office but a one to one with people of like minds, who came to serve a greater purpose and to give of themselves until that lost one is found. My second book Passages addressed more and more of my inner light as the seeds that were sown and reaped in 5 degrees to separation became weaker and desiccated, finally to be uprooted and cast out of my psyche. Let the dance begin!
Dancing Toward the Light, The Journey Continues . . . and it does. I know that you will find yourself in many of the poems / prose. I trust to further enlighten, empower and embrace you all with love and understanding. The poems in this book are the many faces of self that have merged into one BE-ing, still dancing . . . Put on your dancing shoes and dance with me.
Blessings,
Janet P. Caldwell
Now Available for Pre Order
Official Release & Shipping: April 1st, 2013
$21.95
Passages
The expressions found within the pages of this book are an attempt to take you on a journey from darkness into the light. I have seen the shadows that haunt me and the glorious light that enveloped me in love. I have found that as long as I look into the light of my Father, the shadows are behind me. Only when I look into the face of them and dwell there do I have the propensity to be swallowed by them.
I have learned that they are harmless to me as long as I do not engage. It’s easy to become depressed or sad and let them swallow you whole, like a cold drink of water on a hot day in hell. My poetry has always been cathartic for me and I know it will be for you. The poetry and prose in this book are a reflection of my journey of stepping in and out of the light. Finally to be embraced by love, acceptance of self and more importantly to love all of God’s creation and myself.
It was not an easy road but I would not have changed it for the world. I know the poems in this book will make you laugh, cry, feel love and experience righteous indignation at times. It has been an honor to share my words again and I thank you in advance for reading.
Blessings,
Janet P. Caldwell
$19.95
Reviews
Janet Caldwell tells us in the author’s introduction that she’s had quite a journey walking through some dark portals into the light. It’s a journey many readers will relate to. These dance-like poems are rich with that reaching we all do for a brightness, a warmth in a world which can sometimes be very cold. This poet’s work strives to bring us the sunlight of a comforting word, or a hug, or a blooming flower.
One of my favorite poems in this book is STARVED NO MORE. The poet finds herself in a diner late at night–hungry for…what? She’s not sure. A good-looking “boy with chestnut eyes” catches her attention and she decides on something juicy right there. She orders a fruit bowl and as we bite into a strawberry with her, juice slipping down our chins, we are, with the poet, again caught by the good-looking boy’s eyes
“A slight embarrassment ran/through me when the boy with/the chestnut eyes smiled. I quickly looked away/Flights of fancy, romance/in the air, i really did not/have a care. It is my turn/to be loved, so I ate…/I ate the whole thing.”
I very nearly applauded, as if hearing Caldwell say those words to me with a wink and a giggle over coffee. And, indeed, that is how the book affected me. I felt as if I was having an afternoon with a good friend, trading secrets and life stories.
Brava Janet Caldwell!
Martina Newberry
Author/Poet
5 Degrees to Separation
“5 Degrees to Separation” is over 200 pages of gripping poetry where I bare my Soul in reflections of real events from my life and some fictitious renderings of my innermost feelings. It will take you to a place where some of you have never been. This book will grab you by the throat and not let go, a real page turner. It was very cathartic for me to write about the abuse that I experienced and to be able to come to a place of forgiveness and love. Anyone that has ever been abused, loved and lost will relate to the poems found within this book. If you have not, you will rise up and want to protect that child that has been abused. It is a book for the mature minded and all those with compassion.
I have this book sale priced at just $9.00 USD + shipping. Get your signed copy today!
Blessings of Love & Peace,
Janet Caldwell
Author
Reviews
In an era when popular poetry is often obscure for the sake of obscurity, the poems of Janet P. Caldwell are refreshing for their clarity and for the poet’s clear vision. This is poetry that not only reads well on the page, but sounds powerful when read aloud. And the subject matter? A life examined with a poet’s eye and recorded with honesty and intensity. Ms. Caldwell’s poems can be bone lean, yet full of the meat of living, full of the flavor of being a human being. This is a collection of poems by a writer at the height of her powers of observation, and defining her life and the world around her.
James Lee Jobe
Author and DJ on 96.9 The Eagle
“I know Janet Caldwell as a very talented writer and poet. Janet tackles head-on every subject she writes about with wit, intelligence and, at times a subtle humor, all of which underscore her many gifts with writing. I would highly recommend Janet Caldwell as a writer, poet, and friend.
Respectfully submitted,
CJ Heck”
Author
“To know Janet is to touch the salt of the earth. She is not afraid to express total authenticity. Janet surrounds you with love and compassion which emanates from the depth of her heart and soul and expressed through her words.”
Lindy Tefft, M.S.
Author
http://www.simplylindy.com/
Janet Caldwell bares her soul raw and unpretentious taking us through the cycles of her life. We
walk with her through the scars of abuse, the roller coaster of love, pain, loss and relationships,
the unconditional love discovered in childbirth. In the end we must respect her courage as she
kneels in forgiveness ready to take the next step on her journey. A testament to the human spirit
as it rises from darkness into the light of awakening. After walking with Janet you end at the
door of sustenance feeling full.
Teresa E. Gallion
Poet
Author of Contemplation in the High Desert
Visceral intensity, both the violence and the love, gutsily and painfully and restoratively felt
Sometimes we have strength but as in we don’t know our own strength. So that in
The tiny girl with the operatic voice,
belted out a vast tune effectual.
there is both miracle AND terror. The poet is aware that merely triumphing over our own being intimidated is no good, if we intimidate too much ourselves. This poetry is not just intensity let rip.
“Self notes” shows minxish wit, crisp spry consonants, suddenly holding the violent intense moments at arm’s length, in a tickly sense of humour
Life isn’t
a play, they can be
a bore.
There is peace but also risk – of the wrong kind of loss of self – in this detachment, as shown in “Research Project”,
although there is commitment to delicacy, there is defiance
because I cannot sit still,
and watch the destruction.
No, I will not be quiet.
The poet shows her suffering, not as a leader but as honest, so everyone will be.
Healing must be a communal campaign;
Sometimes the poet takes an overview, almost like a ghost, of seeing the world of mere fleshly feelings as surreal and superficial to the long view of eternity, as in the fine poem “Dinner in two dimensions”, the whole collection helping one hear the poet’s voice (in this world, of this world) to appreciate her planting both feet in an unearthly otherworldly view in this poem. More serene, less suffering , poems of eternity float off more blissfully, but “Dinner in two dimensions” is where the earthly and unearthly poem styles meet and mix. They do too in a pleasurable musical more light verse way in Déjà vu Tide
Ira Lightman
Poet and Musician
