TWO HEARTS: A JOURNEY INTO HEARTFELT POETRY

by Annette Tarpley, Sarfraz Ahmed

Aphrodite and Apollo, Romeo and Juliet, Tsar Nicholas II and his Tsarina Alexandra, Bogie and Bacall, Annette (Wengert) Tarpley and Sarfraz They all shared a grand and enduring one so powerful that they are still spoken of with reverence and awe, by those fortunate and inquisitive enough to seek out the stories of their fabled romances and lives.Volumes of poetry and handwritten letters, on thick sheets of linen and parchment papers, offer us insight into these storied romances. Annette (Wengert) Tarpley and Sarfraz Ahmed have presented us with an extraordinary collection of romantic poems, as well as a few others, in their first book together, Two Hearts. There are individual poems and collaborative achievements, to rival the sweetest of ancient lover’s exchanged letters, and to nurture, that part of all our hearts, that yearn for such delicious intoxicating romance.Two Hearts is a marvelous addition to your personal library. It is packed with outstanding poems by both authors. Two Hearts takes us to places we can only dream of, through the magic and the magnificence of Annette and Sarfraz’s brilliant poems.Two Hearts is a splendid thematic book that you will navigate for the first time, with rare pleasure, thanks to the collaboration of two outstanding poetic voices. Two Hearts is a place you will return to again and again...-Jill Sharon Kimmelman American Poetess/2021

Kindle Edition

Published February 7, 2021

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sorry to use a worn out cliche, but I will tell you this: There is nothing cliché about the beautiful works of Annette Tarpley and Sarfraz Ahmed. These two have put together a book of poetry from each of the poet’s perspective. I like reading the contrasts and similarities in their poetry. As one who is familiar with both poets individually, I was excited to hear they were collaborating on a book of poetry. Just as expected, you have a lovely dance with quite different dancers, so to speak. With Tarpley, you will see more of her gentle, breezy flow with well-placed rhyme and with Ahmed, you will almost hear the breathiness of his tone. It is one of the ways I know it is a poem by Ahmed.
Tarpley’s poem, “I Am Who I Am” has the close merge between her airy style, with rhyme, but has a touch of the special rhythm usually seen in Ahmed’s poetry. Clearly, the influence has taken hold in this marriage of sorts, between the American and English poet. With “They Call Me Simon,” Ahmed uses his gift of assonance so well, and expresses well the meaning behind the poem, making it one to use tissues to read, and just like that, the dam breaks at the end, such a magical twist.
Tarpley’s “The Mirror” is closer to a prose poem and her expressions in this piece take the reader into the mind’s eye of the woman in the poem, reflecting on her life and realizing she had arrived. It is one of my favorites in the book, because of the feelings one feels when reading this piece. Ahmed’s Reflections is a movement poem to take the reader from the realization to the freeing aspect which comes from awareness and growth. It is splendid how these two approached a similar prompt and came out with different points of view. I love this as it shows there are so many ways to look at life and to express such in poetry.
Bravo to these two fine poets for the completion of what stands to be a work of art.

[Adrian Luague · Rating 5 out of 5]

radiates a perfect blend of poetry truly hums from two beautiful hearts. Set on themes that seem ordinary but artistically reimagined into masterpieces unknown before. Simply elegant, and flavourful journey on inks! Excellent collaboration by Sarfraz Ahmed and Annette Tarpley! Kudos, padayon, and more power to your inks!