tiny happy

making journal

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This is my friend Helen Lehndorf's collection of poetry, which is fresh of the printing press this week. Helen's poetry chronicles everyday life in an original, detailed and bold manner and draws the reader in close. She shines light on how it is to live in provincial NZ, the natural world, to be a mother, be in love. They are beautiful poems.

Helen loves to make things with textiles and many of the poems mention fabric, threads and stitches. Here is an excerpt from my favourite:

Mending pile

A hole is not a thing but the absence

of a thing. You broke this with all your wearing,

and I sewed and sewed until the holes

were nipped shut, the mend invisible

to all but the most discerning eye.

Hope is a darned hole.

You might recognise the cover image- the beautiful book design work was done by Sarah Laing and the embroidery is my 'winter branches' design. 

The Comforter is published by Seraph Press in Wellington, and you can order copies through their website here

I have an extra copy to give away here on the blog. Would you like one of your own? If so, just leave a comment and I will draw a winner (from anywhere in the world) on Monday morning.

Have a great weekend!

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109 responses to “the comforter + a giveaway for you”

  1. tsktsk Avatar

    oh yes, I hope I’m not too late. I would love to give this to a special friend for Christmas.

    Like

  2. Therese Avatar
    Therese

    Please count me in for a chance to win Helen’s lovely book. With a stunning cover it has to be said. Thanks Melissa

    Like

  3. Tasneem Avatar

    Dear Melissa,
    Thank you for sharing. I would love to read the book!

    Like

  4. RobLeyland Avatar

    I would love to win! The artwork looks stunning on the cover too

    Like

  5. Kath Avatar

    Beautiful excerpt. Hope is a darned hole….what an awesome line! Cool 🙂

    Like

  6. Brenda Avatar
    Brenda

    This poem hits me strong. My husband has just been diagnosed with cancer. I want them to remove the cancer from him. If I could I would make a hole and ” the abscence of the thing, ” would remove the cancer.

    Like

  7. Matariki Avatar
    Matariki

    Please. Two of my favourite things in one x

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  8. velma Avatar

    i like these poems, and the design is fine

    Like

  9. Raindweller Avatar

    Sounds lovely.
    PS I recently discovered your blog and am in love. ♥

    Like

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