By Christina Watkins
Sky and Earth Ciello Y Tierra
Poems – Poemas
“In this small collection of short, lyrical poems in free verse, written in both English and Spanish, Christina Watkins gently opens readers’ eyes to a world that glimmers with radiance of spirit. Without ever using the words “spiritual” or “religious,” she lifts the veil of reality just enough to allow the other worldly concepts to slip in unannounced.”
“Sky and Earth Cielo Y Tierra is a graceful collection that may appeal to readers with an appreciation for the rugged openness of the American West, the Spanish language and the sacred feminine.”
Poet
Christina Watkins
Latest Blogs
How to Write a Villanelle Poem
‘The Way Things Are Is Large,’ is a Villanelle. This poem is not in Sky and Earth Cielo Y Tierra. I like writing poems that have some form. It helps get me started with words on the page. Two strong lines about things the poet cares deeply about give energy for...
How To Write a Pantoum
There are three pantoums in my little book, Sky And Earth Cielo Y Tierra. Here is one: East Says East says set the second half of life aside for ecstasy.What better prospect than to be a dancer?Some say St. Paul was reading in the roadside shadeI have begun to feel...
How To Write a Sestina
How to write a Sestina It is fun and easy to write a sestina and the form allows the poet to put something up on the computer screen and play with the words. In a time of writer’s block a sestina can sometimes help the writer have something to work with. Sestina is a...
Sky and Earth Cielo Y Tierra is a book of poetry about the balance of natural forces and the relationships of people living in the space between. There is a balance between the two poems facing each other. She marries the right words in both languages. The poet’s natural sense of rhythm, perhaps explaining her aptitude for dance, shines through in her writing as lyrical poetry. The poems have a compelling beat and expressive melody.
– Alison Walker, Pacific Book Review
The poems are written in free verse with excellent rhythm and compelling structure, whether you enjoy them in English, Spanish, or both. Each poem connects the reader with nature and, often lightly, with a sense of something bigger through dance, motherhood, and a subtle Religious tone. Readers who enjoy nature, dancing, and graceful prose will revel in the journey. This collection has broad appeal and a beautiful rhythm that makes each poem even more compelling when read in sequence. Watkins has composed poems that softly demand notice and deliver a lovely journey for those who read them.