“For Red Sundaes: A Collection of Poems” by Aubrey “Luna” Diaz takes readers on a journey of trauma, healing and the relearning of self. Through her words, she carefully stitches the wounds of survivors of sexual assault and injustice, those of which she dedicates her book to.
Photo courtesy of Medina Karagic
In this brave retelling, she not only exposes the reality of many survivors but also provides closure to them (and herself) by acting as a validating force to the overwhelming range of emotions experienced through trauma. Diaz explains that the divison of her book into five different acts was very intentional, showing how she moved across seasons of healing.
“I decided to put the poems in acts because that’s how I organized the poem ‘Relearning,’ which was not in the original draft of the book. As soon as I finished writing that poem, I knew I wanted it to be the final poem I left readers with, and…it provided a structure to work with to organize the content of my poems. The first act explores me finding my voice in life and my reactions/opinions on life events, while the second act is me discovering love after finding my voice and learning more about myself through relationships. The third act is when life hit me, and writing was how I coped, so it reflects what was going on in my head and life after the incident and during the investigation. The fourth act is me pulling myself out of that hole and grasping onto any light I could, and the fifth act reflects my more recent thoughts and standing, tying all the acts together and bringing my own closure to those chapters of life.”
Photo courtesy of Medina Karagic
Diaz’s poems forge powerful links as they simultaneously mourn the sea of falsehoods that flow in the waters of injustice while celebrating and feeding the spirit of the reader as she discovers the empowerment of healing. She uncovers this by diving intimately into her core through the vulnerable process of introspection.
Photo courtesy of Medina Karagic
“For Red Sundaes” tackles these shared sorrows by meticulously reaching into a reservoir of resilience and courage that all survivors have become familiar with. Diaz’s pain is palpable, as is her strength she harnesses that invites solace, empathy, and a restoration of the soul. Her work transforms and unifies readers as she embraces her identity as a Puerto Rican woman, a creative and a survivor.
Photo courtesy of Medina Karagic
This collection of poems provides fortitude to survivors of injustice and manifests a connection with the mind, body and spirit, making space for therapeutic energy to fill some of the voids that adversity may bring.
To anyone looking to witness the journey of a lionhearted woman and/or to heal by participating in authentic reading, this book is for you.
A reminder in the words of the gifted author:
“We are never alone and
never without purpose,
no matter how the circumstances may seem.
You are everything you are meant to be in this moment.
You are enough.
We are enough.”
Photo courtesy of Medina Karagic
Instagram: @luna.ticks
Email: aubreylunadiaz@gmail.com