4

"A book that breaks your heart and mends it at the same time, beautiful and sincere."

• Alix Klingenberg, author of Secrets & Stars

"A gorgeous collection of relatable and soul-stirring poetry."

• Purple Phoenix Poetry - Author of Tears of Ash and Light

"Barbara Gianquitto's debut poetry book, Words to the soul: 4.04am Thoughts, is, one of my favorite compilations of poetry and once I began reading her exquisite words I sat and continued reading the book in its entirety as I fell more and more in love with each poem. This book is one of passion and grace and beauty. 

Gianquitto takes her readers on a journey with her where she speaks of myriad facets of life and of death, of obstacles, fears and losses and well as fond remembrances, the rebirth of herself and her self-healing journey. Her book explores relationships, both with herself as well as with others in her life. Just one of my many favorite poems was written to her deceased mother, which left me crying tears as I could truly feel her eternal love for her mom, to whom this book is dedicated, who she so poignantly refers to as her soulmate. These poems honoring her deceased mom are juxtaposed with poems of the joys of motherhood and her unconditional love of her children. Just as beautiful are the romantic love poems of both love found and love lost.  

The poems are written without pretense - just raw emotion inked on the page with unparalleled eloquence. The rhythm and rhetorical devices flow effortlessly through the poems, allowing the readers to feel as though Gianquitto is speaking directly to them in her mellifluous voice.  The poet uses stunningly creative metaphors and similes that further enhance the poems' beauty. 

One of my favorite parts of the book is toward the end, an extended prose poem entitled, "Love and Prudence." It is such a stunning and meaningful piece that I will return to reading many, many times over. 

It is with great mastery and craftsmanship that Gianquitto reveals both her triumphs and her traumas, her loves and her losses, her lost self and herself reborn with new strength and hope.  The poems are so evocative that memories of my own traumas and triumphs, my own loves and losses, came to mind as a I was reading.  I cried and smiled and felt that the poet's newly found hope and strength were not only hers, but mine as well."

• Michele Scirocco - Poet