Book excerpt: Poetry is something greatly admired by Ma. Venus Gamboa. The way words blend, rhyme, and come together to form one identity is pure art in itself. Poetry is free-flowing, liberating, and as complicated as it is simple. Venus sees purity in poems; the feelings they evoke are always deep, meaningful. What novels and short stories can build in thousands of words, poetry can represent in a few. Venus always saw herself writing a novel. During the past year of imagining, note-taking, and researching for her novel, she ended up lapsing into moments of silence and reflection, which brought about random thoughts that came together to create short poems ... which grew into an entire collection, including entries from writer Crissa Mae Valenzona. These two women have crafted short, evocative poems that capture the reader’s imagination. Within each individual poem is a complex story that prompts readers to envision the circumstances that brought characters to such dramatic deeds. Although the poems can be read quickly, this is a collection to be savored, as each story is unique and enjoyable. It is caffeinated brains at work, written in solitude but inspired by many.