Author Description

"HEART RHYTHMS, MIND MELODIES, AND SO ON...: the song of the soul in poetry" is the debut anthology of writings by writer and poet, T. H. Tessema. With musical metaphor as the overarching theme staging this literary production, "HEART RHYTHMS" features over forty-five compositions of poetry and prose which were penned by the author between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five years old. Publishing some of the works in this collection a decade after writing them, Tessema regards her early poetic strivings in "HEART RHYTHMS" as the literature that defined her identity as a poet. In this semi-autobiographical book, the author vividly depicts the highs and lows of her human journey in a visceral tune that is sure to strike a chord with readers! While the collection includes several upbeat pieces, "HEART RHYTHMS" also candidly reveals Tessema's relatable experiences of heartache, pain, and personal struggles. Yet, in the presence of her hardships, the resounding message echoing from the author's song is one of love, hope, survival, and growth. In the Preface of "HEART RHYTHMS", Tessema writes the following regarding the import of poetry to her soul: "I do not know when and where it all began and ended, or if it has ended yet, or if it has really even begun at all. The "it" about which I am speaking is the song that rouses my soul; it is a song which I have found that I am able to communicate, in part, through this art form called poetry... When I have felt low and nearly ready to sink into despair, poetry has kept me afloat. When my weary eyes have been almost all set to close on this life, poetry has stirred me awake and tapped me on the shoulder in the sweet whispers of words... When I am restless, poetry is the lullaby that soothes me. When I am unknowing, poetry is the nursery rhyme that instructs me. When I am lonely, poetry is the lover that serenades me..."(p. i).Come join T. H. Tessema on this stirring poetic odyssey as she journeys inward to discover the music