My book, Celebrating Sound, was published in January 2016! Be on the lookout for how you can order my book directly from me here. Thank you to the Oded Halahmy Foundation, Inspired Word NYC, and Poetry Teachers NYC for making my dream a reality.
The extraordinary bond between Jennifer Harmon and her mother, Patricia, is illuminated in this collection of poetry, featuring selections from both of their works. Through heartache, tragedy, life changes, and physical separation, their love endures through the power of words, visions, and memory.
Performing at the opening night book launch with my husband on guitar!
Look at this beautiful embroidery created by the talented artist Iviva Olenick
Trampoline
A few months to create this
our collection, Celebrating Sound.
patience with myself for
no knowledge, no workbook
of how to do this.
Fear in fingers,
Fear in sitting still,
Fear to decide,
Fear to get critiqued.
This is my manuscript
my rough draft to the world.
I know how to do THIS.
I AM your reader.
I am the paper gatherer.
I secured these poems,
originals in your red faded folder
from New Mexico to New Jersey.
I made photocopies at my job
26th floor at Source Media,
knowing they were my treasure.
A lifetime to honor us,
our story,
we share the stage.
I keep learning, asking questions
continue Celebrating Sound.
I am live speaker of your magic
word weaver of our conversations
extender of our love.
This book is trampoline,
This book is mixture
facts experiences memories
mistakes
my errors
my love
my fear of how to do it right.
This book is every day I prefer different pieces.
I mix and match sentences,
take stanzas from our poems when I
perform, read aloud
like tops and skirts
poetry pants in my wardrobe
mixed with your embellished velvet
with our turquoise concho bracelet.
Imperfect art here I am.
Imperfect creator of tribute,
imperfect editor of stricter,
vessel of preparation and
spontaneity
I am.
Passionate
To be here with you and take this higher,
this combination of our artistry, Mom!
I own the rights
to my family.
I am take me to another place.
I hope you will learn with me,
dear reader, audience member!
Love me flawed
Read me flawed
as I love myself
as I explore our relationships further.
I am curator of print
and spoken word.
What brings you pleasure, Jennifer?
The seeds of action, planting,
seeing the flowers grow,
my confidence,
my honesty.
Decisions of what to present,
I let go of what's not included today.
satisfied-correct in my desire
acceptance
of every minute every word
a gift.
It was enchanting to be the featured performer at Changing Hands bookstore in Tempe, AZ in May of 2017!