Welcome to the world of Mary Keating, a quick-witted, fun-loving paraplegic. (Note, however, that she cringes at being labeled.) Fifty years ago, Mary's wide-open world instantly contracted at age fifteen when a teenager drove her into an oak tree at maximum speed. With a wheelchair as a permanent accessory, she was no longer seen as "hot" or one of "in" crowd. She found herself transported into an alternate reality- defined now by her disability.
When life becomes overwhelming, Mary jokingly pretends she's trapped in a bad B movie waiting for a new director. Her poetry collection reminds us, no matter how hard life may seem- grace, love, and humor will save us from despair and allow us to live our best life under any circumstances.
About the Author :
Mary Keating's world turned upside down in 1973 when she became a paraplegic in a car accident at just fifteen. Today, she's married, a Yale Law School graduate with her own law firm, an advocate for disability rights, and a scuba diver. A two-time pushcart nominee, Mary is the Poetry Editor for Scribes*MICRO*Fiction. Her poems appear in several journals, including Wordgathering, Poetry for the Ukraine, and SFWP. Mary served as Chairperson for Connecticut State Rehabilitation Council and Vice President of the Rowayton Library. She is a Top Attorney of North America. Mary lives with her husband, Danny, in Rowayton, CT where she continues to fight for equality, using her humor and grace, for the billion disabled people in the world. See: http://www.marykeatingpoet.com/
Review :
"Recalibrating Gravity is impactful, rare, and supple-a book that has stayed with me since I turned the last page." -- Joan Kwon Glass, author of NIGHT SWIM "Even when those who ought to have known better catastrophically did not, and engaged in extreme stupidity, the conclusion is that she is here, she real, she belongs." -- Josie Byzek, Senior Director, Communications and Digital Experience, United Spinal Association
"Mary Keating's Recalibrating Gravity is a window into the author's world -- its triumphs and sadnesses. This book is full of odd things, keenly observed -- as in the poems 'Bungaroosh' and 'The Goat of Christmas Past' and so many others." -- Charles Rafferty, Poet
"Recalibrating Gravity is a peek into the swirling wheels of joy and laughter, tragedy and triumph, love and blessings in the world of Mary, a poet, a lawyer and an adventurer par excellence." -- Dr. Karen Shields, Integrative Wellness Clinician
"Mary's... memoir written in verse reaches deeper into the psyche than prose alone could aspire to achieve... the strength found in the... poems in Recalibrating Gravity leaves us with a deepened ability to approach our own adversity." -- Katie Dozier, The Poetry Space
"These autobiographical free verse poems are achingly honest and subversively creative... Her tone more often than not is self-deprecating, but that doesn't hide her ability to cope with challenges and frustrations... I doubt I could handle. A highly recommend read." -- Ed Ahern, International Author and Poet, Editor
