Beneath the Surface: A Book of Poems

by Barbara Garay

Beneath the surface is a collection of poetry about overcoming trauma, navigating love, enduring heartbreak, dealing with depression and anxiety, and coping through it all by being emotionally resilient. This book is a poetic and insightful journey of healing that digs deep into the human psyche. The book is split into five chapters: Roots. Love. Heartbreak. Internal Struggles. Resilience.

143 pages, Paperback

Published February 22, 2019

About the author

Barbara Garay was born in Vilnius, Lithuania when it was still part of the Soviet Bloc. She immigrated to America when she was six years old and has remained here ever since. Her poetry explores themes of loss, displacement, healing, trauma, pain, love, passion, introspection, and philosophy. Creative expression has always been a way to cope with early childhood trauma. She is passionate about history and philosophy and completed her baccalaureate studies in both at Loyola University Chicago.

You can buy her debut poetry book, "Beneath the Surface" on amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/css/order-h...

Reviews

[Arthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep Thoughts Contained in a Few Well-Chosen Words

There is a progression through this book that shows the poet transcending challenging times. What I especially enjoyed were the succinct poems such as " My Becoming" I found myself rereading many of them and reflecting on them. There is a powerful message that can inspire readers. Subtle rhymes draw attention to the main points. A very uplifting and thought-provoking read.

[Cassie Arvay · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first thing I noticed upon reading this book was the masterful use and placement of words. Each page was wrought with words that created feelings inside that no “words slapped on a page” poetry can accomplish. I found myself turning pages much quicker than expected, lost in the tone that Beneath the Surface created. Coupled with phenomenal photography, each poem was expertly crafted to create a visually pleasing, and emotionally pleasing display. To quote part of one of the poems, titled Poetry, “Peel apart my skin. / Unveil the eloquence within.” These two lines encapsulate what Garay’s writing style is. While the topics may be dark, they are truthful to herself and to life and remain as beautiful as ever. All in all, this book contained excellent poetry and I hope to read more of this author’s work in the future!

[Philip Dodd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beneath the Surface: A Book of Poems by Barbara Garay read to me like entries from a journal, written in verse rather than prose. It is a collection of very personal poems, meditations on the author's own life and thoughts. From bravely setting down and facing painful memories of her scarred childhood to celebrations of mature love and philosophical musings on life, the book is an engrossing, moving book to read. The verse is well written, flowing and clear. They are the works of " a soul exposed as fully bare" as Barbara Garay writes in one of her poem. Though she lives in America now, she was born in Lithuania. English, therefore, is her second language. As a poet who writes in English as her second language, she uses it in her own unique way, which adds to the interest of reading her works. A good poem ought to have quotable, memorable lines, I think. Here are some such lines from Beneath the Surface:
It is here
I grew the desire
to spread my soul
across the sky
like a raging fire ( from a poem called Sky Watcher )
And I write
and I write
until you fill
every page
and become
every poem ( from a poem called Flash )
Beneath the Surface is a collection of poems that certainly peel back the skin from the bone to reveal the tangle but also the light within.

[Gurpreet Kaur · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read.
It is impossible not to cheer for the poet’s debut book , with her reflections on inner struggles, love , heartbreak,resilience.
The entire collection of poem is so very beautifully crafted that it is almost impossible for me to pick a favourite.
I love this book so much that I wouldn’t hesitate to read it twice or even thrice.

[Adric Ceneri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning poetry collection filled with profound emotions. I’ve felt this collection deeply! It took me in a journey of emotions telling me that we’re only human and those who are brave enough can see just beneath the surface the wonders this life has to offer! It made me feel like I was not alone, I am not the only one with struggles and that life has many things to offer if we only dare to live. My ultimate favorite piece is on page 103 that calls to me for inner peace balancing my happiness and darkness!

[Dennise Boncea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional, powerful and just downright beautiful, this book's poems are a sure way to get your heart touched by all the emotions. I loved it from the very beginning til the end. A must read if you love poems and want to connect to someone through words. Lovely work!