E.J. Rode's debut poetry collection begs us to invest in love, regardless of the consequences. These poems courageously traverse the lands of the heart-romantic, familial, and intrapersonal-offering observations on how love can both nourish and hurt. This book reminds us that we can always count on the moon to help keep our chins up, and we can always count on home to keep us grounded-metaphors that make appearances throughout the collection.
This poetry collection was the finalist for the 2022 Birdy Poetry Prize.
About the Author :
E.J. has spent most of her life choosing the roads less traveled. She finds joy, sorrow, and, frequently, wisdom in almost everyone she meets. Her work resonates because it is reflective of how much we are alike, even when we differ. Although she has tried her hand at many forms of writing, from fiction and newspaper columns to essays, she always returns to poetry, her first love. E.J.'s poetry has appeared in Third Wednesday, The Josephine Quarterly, And/Both Magazine, Zephyr Press, and Colorado Living.
Review :
Reader beware. This book of poetry will hold you captive. Janet Rode dares to write that "Love is always a miracle-no matter how it ends." She speaks of unbearable loss. "Growing old was something-we'd do-together." "Didn't you know-that you were the story-I always wanted to hear." She remembers, ". . . my hand against your skin-never wishing I'd touched you less." She faces despair and cries out, ". . . over and over again I find myself lost." "Even the truth has learned to lie." Repeatedly, she returns to the moon for solace, a moon that is "always too much, and never enough." She ". . . silently scolds the clock for ticking." She declares, ". . . of my failings I can only tell-I've fallen short-but loved so well." She abides by her advice: "Write poems you fear no one will like . . ." Truth at all cost. Expect nothing else from this poet. No Matter How It Ends is a masterpiece by a highly skilled poet who dares to live life on her own terms.
-Marcel Aimé Duclos, author of Unavoidable . . . evade dying at your own peril (Black Forest Publishing, 2021)
We're fortunate that Meadowlark Press has invited poet Janet Rode to share her powerful, private conversations with us in this collection, No Matter How It Ends. It's quite an undertaking, but Rode has followed her own advice: "Write the poems you fear no one else will like."
Rode, and her poems, are exceptional. She's a talented writer whose literary work is creative, observant, elegant, honest, and inspiring. She pays attention to the smallest sensory detail. I feel like, if at any moment I were to ask her, "Right now, where is the moon in the sky?" she'd accurately describe its location, shape, and its effect on her mood.
Thanks to Rode's masterful poetry, I'm less judgmental, think more deeply, and better understand our world and myself.
If there were a position of Poet of Peace, and if I were in charge, I'd appoint Janet Rode. With her literary wisdom, openness, and loving connection with humanity, there could be resolution to many of life's issues and personal problems.
-Jim Potter, author of Deputy Jennings Meets the Amish
