Twenty-Five Poems, One Journey
Matters of the Heart: Poems of Perspectives, Vol. 1 is the debut collection by Brooklyn poet Harry Marcena, illustrated by Vani M. Sieunarine. Its twenty-five original poems move through faith and resilience, identity and friendship, love, heartbreak, and healing, each one drawn from real life experience.
Read a short description of every poem below, then order your copy to read the collection in full.
Current State Of Mind
Holding on to hope and pushing forward, even when dreams feel out of reach.
Pressure
The weight that can build you up or break you down, shaping what comes next.
Trials And Tribulations
Hard seasons that refine, strengthen, and prepare us for greater purpose.
Eye Of The Storm
Feeling trapped in the dark, searching for freedom and a way to rise again.
Grace
Extending compassion and forgiveness, even when others choose anger or hatred.
Characteristics
The many sides of our personality that make us uniquely who we are.
Shades Of Black
A celebration of Black identity, beauty, culture, and self-worth.
Inner Strength
The quiet power within to endure, overcome, and keep moving.
Queen
A tribute to the wise, strong, and graceful woman who leads with love.
Beautiful
Beauty beyond appearance, within personality, presence, and essence.
Admirer
Honoring someone who turned pain into purpose and became an inspiration.
Know You More
An invitation to open up, trust again, and be truly known.
Friendship
A bond built on loyalty, honesty, shared growth, and unwavering support.
Between A Rock And A Heart Place
Falling in love, vulnerable, uncertain, but ready for the journey.
New Beginnings
Love found after being closed off, renewal, inspiration, and fresh possibility.
What It Means To Love
Unwavering commitment through every season, presence, support, hope, and strength.
Enjoy And Respect
Gratitude for blessings, lessons, growth, humility, and every experience.
Say Yes
A declaration of commitment, faith, partnership, and becoming one.
Anniversary
Celebrating the one who completes, balances, and brings peace to every part.
Seasons
Love through every season, passion, change, comfort, and enduring connection.
Lack Of Communication
Overthinking and guarded emotions that keep two hearts from connecting.
Conflicted
Feeling forgotten and wounded, yet holding on to prayer, hope, and strength.
Matters Of The Heart
The ache of forbidden love and the dreams we’re forced to keep hidden.
Soul Ties
Deep connections that bind us, and the silence left when they are broken.
Out
A meditation on emotional exhaustion, detachment, and the danger of losing self.
