Over a decade ago through the magic of the internet and the wonder of email, I “met” a poet who lived far away in the southwest named Lisha Adela Garcia. We never met in person, though.
Lisha was putting together her very first full-length poetry collection and thought I might be of assistance. I’ve worked as a poetry manuscript organizer and editor for many years, and I was delighted to take a look at her poems.
The poems were amazing of course! And they turned into her wonderful, acclaimed collection, Blood Rivers, published in 2009.
Through the magic of web ether, Lisha and I have stayed in touch.
But despite never meeting in person, I always felt we had a deep connection.
The connection of our mutual love of poetry, certainly.
But it felt like so much more, too.
A soul connection, if you will. Maybe you’ve felt that too?
As if our life experiences sent us along similar paths.
I’ve always wanted to meet Lisha, hear her voice in person, look into her eyes.
And last week, I finally got the chance as she passed through my town on the way to a reading for her newly published book, A Rope of Luna.
This book is filled with poems of rich culture, family, and spirituality.
Here’s one of my many favorite poems in Lisha’s new collection:
We only had a couple of hours together, and shared a delicious meal. I felt the soul connection even more powerfully in her presence.
And now, we have vowed to get together again.
So, though some may think the ether an unlikely place to form friendships,
with a little bit of poetry,
these ethereal friendships can be deep and meaningful and lasting.
For that, I am very grateful.
Lisha Adela Garcia’s books on Amazon.
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