Additional information
by Mildred Santiago-Vélez (Author)
The book Unraveling contains poems that show how women's lives evolve and take shape over the years through lived experiences, be they pleasant or unpleasant. Some women may fall apart during a crisis and need to find the inner strength that will help them become whole and strong. It is a painful process that requires patience and persistence, however, in the end they will understand and accept that life is not perfect and is always changing.
Basic to the ability of becoming a strong woman who faces life with determination is the establishment and affirmation of who we are. How do we describe ourselves? Some women tend to undervalue themselves because they don't fit the stereotypical concept of women. We need to look inwards and value our character strengths and how these contribute to our own well-being and that of our loved ones.
Another aspect of life as a woman that my poems address is that of love of a man. We decide to enter into a relationship and sometimes it will be right, but other times it turns out terrible. What will we do? Will we stay in a toxic relationship hoping it will get better, or will we decide to save ourselves? Again, we need to make a choice and be willing to face the consequences.
Death is a topic I address in my poems. It is not a pleasant topic, but it is part of life. Perhaps your spiritual upbringing will help you face the departure of a loved one, nevertheless, it still is a difficult life passage that we need to walk and accept. The good thing about life as we approach the end is that we can reminisce and relish the many happy moments we lived and shared.
Poetry is a magnificent tool that helps us dig deep within and bring forth life events that need to be looked at from where we are today, a different place, perhaps wiser and less painful. To be able to express those thoughts we have kept hidden is liberating, it is a cathartic experience. Many of my poems come from that deep place within; others are reflections of the lives around me.
