Join us in celebrating the launch of Catherine Arra’s new book of poetry “Solitude, Tarot & the Corona Blues.“ Free with registration. Light refreshments. An open mic will follow.

About the Book:

Like a third eye, the poems in Catherine Arra's Solitude, Tarot & the Corona Blues reach beyond mere physical sight to the enlightened realm of the spiritual. Finding solace in nature and ancient wisdom, Arra traverses such worldly challenges as Covid-19, a deadly deer virus, and profound relationship disappointments. Her deft lyric poems-including a pantoum-and spirited persona poems act as an intimate portal through which New York's Catskill Mountains and tarot's Major Arcana archetypes spring to life. From "the desert of quarantine" to the dislocation of a broken marriage, Arra's magical collection ushers readers on an illuminating inner journey across "the bridge between seen and unseen," offering the sagacious "reminder to look up. Beyond."
-Jo Pitkin, author of Rendering and Village: Recession

In pared-down pandemic life, a time for walking, reflecting, and days sustained by nature and a woman's fortitude, Catherine Arra finds "Second Seasons." She writes, "In distilled grace, let us plant a garden for / regret, sorrow, forgiveness, tend the past in beginnings." By turns folksy, lyrical, caustic, and determined, her poems speak with a toughened wisdom that won't suffer fools but knows the truth of love. Her tarot poems offer a master class in persona poetry. Each speaks with a spiky personality to deliver truths that are entertaining, painful, but never wrong. A smart and heartful book.
-Will Nixon, author of My Late Mother as a Ruffed Grouse and The Pocket Guide to Woodstock

About the Author

Catherine Arra is a former English and writing teacher. Her poetry and prose have appeared in numerous literary journals online and in print, and in several anthologies. She is the author of Solitude, Tarot & the Corona Blues, (Kelsay Books, 2022), Deer Love (Dos Madres Press, 2021), Her Landscape, Poems Based on the Life of Mileva Marić Einstein, (Finishing Line Press, 2020), (Women in Parentheses) (Kelsay Books, 2019), Writing in the Ether (Dos Madres Press, 2018) and three chapbooks. A Pushcart nominee, she lives in upstate New York, where she teaches part-time, and facilitates local writing groups. Find her at www.catherinearra.com.

Please RSVP to reserve your seat. Limited to 30 guests.