one touch of the rope is a collection of deeply personal free verse poetry. It’s a journey through the Lumpini park held together with the thread of a journey, a journey through the park in reality, in my imagination, philosophical and real.
Late bloomer that I am, over the last two years I’ve finally managed to sit with some painful, sad, moments of rejection, and even joyous moments without immediately lashing out in defense, offense or overexcitement. Lumpini park was the container holding me. At the park, I could run, walk, climb trees, and allow my pain or joy to be in me and move through me and out freely. Lumpini became an ideal mama holding space for her child, letting her child express, and be.
one touch of the rope is a meandering of literal walks, some wanderings in my mind, some that are lighter and others more dark, some philosophical, some realistic. The rope images hold the title. If this was a song the 3 blue skies would be the chorus.
As with any project or book, there were many stages in the making of this work. Also, many people involved at different stages. I worked with editors: Isabelle Kenyon of Fly on the Wall Press whose work I respect and value, as well as Dr. Kristina Darling who guided me to break free some more, with my words and use of the white page like a blank canvas.
Yet, weeks into the process, I felt stuck with what the manuscript was looking like. It felt flat. Upon sharing my text with Peter Dougal, he gave me some suggestions and advice. One important missing piece seemed to come from his outlook on the work from his perspective as a theatre maker. He saw my collection more as a story needing to shine through the format of a journey.
I printed out all the poems, and laid them on the floor. Very quickly, I started to move the sheets around, keeping the order for a day or two, then lookin at the poems slightly differently again. I shuffled them around once more, until eventually I ended up with this journey. Including the art work as part of the story.
Sanchari, my art teacher, was a big part of my artist’s journey. She has guided me and worked with me on many of the paintings in both my books: Unseen Veins and one touch of the rope. She always gave me a large enough container to explore more abstract themes when I’ve felt restricted, and then helped me reign things in when needed.
Special thanks to Vanessa Fairall for guiding me through the toughest quest yet, and for helping me find my imagined rope that I am tethered to, when needed.
Thanks to my friend Manu for his behind the scenes business mentorship work with me. He has helped me see my own identity and courage and helped me to believe in my own work.
Khun Tho, who works behind the scenes on my books, from making sure the printing is done at the best quality, to the translation and distribution, and even events management!
Maher and the kids: Maher is my first reader and toughest critic. He is the truest artist I know. And to be honest, without him and the children, I’d have no material!!!
At the time of creation, the work it is deeply personal, but once it’s in print and out there like this: and I’ve felt this with both my books, it no longer belongs to me. It belongs to you, the reader. And you are free and encouraged to take it and make it your own.
I’m always more than happy to have some feedback, or questions. Feel free to leave a comment if you feel like it.
Thanks for reading!
Natasha Devalia 