We’re a close-knit family here, are we not? Methinkso! But there’s still so much we don’t know about each other. So, on the occasion of having
⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️
a new published
Author in the house,
Dawn Pisturino.
Photo provided by Dawn.
I went investigating for you.
I managed an exclusive interview with Author Pisturino and now I want to incentivize you, as together, we create some buzz around this amazing lady whose poems are heartfelt, authentic, and moving.
In another post, I’ll tell you why I think this book is a gift:
for its ability to resonate and uplift deeply.
(did I just tell?)
Well, I couldn’t contain myself…
Four Questions:
- Tell me something exclusive about yourself/your life that readers wouldn’t know otherwise.
- Tell me about ‘Ariel’s Songs’ and why you wrote it.
- Share one poem from the book and tell me what inspired it.
- If you were to leave a ‘message in a bottle’ for the future, what would you say?
1. Most people know from social media that I’m a registered nurse, but they don’t know the secondary trauma that comes with nursing – or any job, for that matter, that deals directly with human suffering. It leaves a lasting scar on your psyche and soul when exposed to children covered with cigarette burns inflicted by abusive parents, sitting at the bedside of a dying elderly patient who’s been abandoned by their family, watching a newborn infant withdraw from heroin addiction, managing an inpatient psychiatric unit on the nightshift with only two behavioral health technicians to help if something goes wrong, listening to doctors hurl racial epithets at one another in the nurses’ station and enduring the indifference of hospital administrators when there isn’t enough staff to care for patients properly. Like many people, I grew up in a dysfunctional family, and helping others has been my way of coping with my demons.
2. I’ve been writing since I was eight years old. After my daughter was born, she became my inspiration. I felt that nothing I ever did could surpass the joy of giving birth to a child who was very much loved and wanted. She has been the center of my whole life. I wrote several poems when she was little that were published in anthologies. However, I put my writing on hold to properly care for my family and attend nursing school. In 2011, I began writing seriously, published more poems and short stories, and took numerous writing courses. I joined writers’ organizations like Mystery Writers of America and explored who I was as a writer. Every writer must find their voice, and I was still searching. In 2021, I met Gabriela Marie Milton on WordPress, and she inspired me to open myself up and write from my heart and soul. Writing became a catharsis for my inner demons. I’ve been writing and submitting regularly since. By the end of 2023, I had a collection of 65 published poems—enough to publish a book.
3. Ariel’s Song is dedicated to my daughter, Ariel, a lyric soprano, music educator, and avid book reader. When she was three, I wrote a poem for her called “Ariel’s Song,” which I dearly love. This poem inspired the cover art and the title of the book. Disney was huge when she was little, and I was inspired by Tinkerbell and Shakespeare’s Ariel from The Tempest.
Ariel’s Song
Ariel sings a lusty song
Of ships upon the sea,
And ere the night is very long,
Her spell is cast on me.
She spins a web of intrigue,
She tells a tale of woe;
And when the sun is waxing big,
I do not want to go, —
No, I do not want to go.
But she folds her wings together
And whispers my release;
For her stories last forever
And her songs will never cease.
Then, she rises from the window,
Winging high into the light,
And I’m left alone in shadow
As she disappears from sight.
©Dawn Pisturino: Ariel’s Song
https://www.amazon.com/Ariels-Song-Published-Poems-1987-ebook/dp/B0CWP2MLPZ/
Question #4 Message in a Bottle:
4. I dreaded 2024 because the world is so messed up, but it’s been a fantastic year for me and my family (so far). If I were to send a message to the future, I would imitate Gandhi and write, “Stop it! Just stop!” Stop the hate, the violence, the political, religious, and racial divisions, and all the nonsense. There’s no excuse for it. We all bleed red, we all share the same needs, and we’re all going to die someday. “Stop destroying one another!”
Writing Bio
Dawn Pisturino is a retired nurse in Arizona whose international publishing credits include poems, short stories, and articles. Her poetry has appeared in several anthologies, most recently in Hidden in Childhood: A Poetry Anthology, Wounds I Healed: The Poetry of Strong Women, and the 2023 Arizona Literary Magazine. She is a Mystery Writers of America and Arizona Authors Association member.
Personal Bio
I was born in Indiana, but we moved to Los Angeles, California, when I was nine. It was a huge culture shock! I had never been exposed to Mexican food before. I thought tacos were big, stuffed potato chips. I fell in love with the Spanish missions and Spanish architecture. When I saw my first tarantula, it seemed like something from a horror movie. Everything about California fascinated me, from Hollywood to the ocean beaches to the barren desert. San Francisco became my favorite city. Later, when my husband and I moved to Arizona, it was another culture shock. I missed going to the theater, the ballet, and the opera. I missed all the cultural advantages of living in a big city.
Social Media Links
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dawn.pisturino
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/people/Dawn-Pisturino-author/61557762414334
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/dawnpisturino
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/dawnpisturino/
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-pisturino-a15498123/
Medium: http://www.medium.com/@dawnpisturino
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dawnpisturino/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/WriterArizona
Reddit: http://www.reddit.com/user/Rare_Scare/
Tumblr: http://www.tumblr.com/arizonawriter
Let’s help her get to number one by sharing this great news.
Thank you.
- Day 27: NaPoWriMo 2024–Opt Out of An American Sonnet - April 27, 2024
- Day 26: NaPoWriMo 2024 Alliteration, Consonance, Assonance - April 26, 2024
- Reblog: “Snap-beans in a Wooden Bowl”(c) 2024 by Michael L. Utley - April 26, 2024
Thanks for sharing, Selma. I admire Dawn’s writing.
So do I. Very. Thanks for supporting. Bless you. Xo
My pleasure.
Thank you so much!
My pleasure, Dawn.
sounds wonderful, and I loved finding out dawn’s story and motivations. and who the real Ariel is
I so happy, Beth. Love knowing this much too. Gives me a better connection with the book. Thanks for fbe comment.
Thank you so much, Beth!
Wishing Dawn the very best of success🎉
Thank you for sharing Selma.🙏
Like you say..there is so much we don’t know about each other.
I wish her success. Verily verily. I’m happy to know more about Dawn too. Thanks, Maggie. Let’s click and share THAT link. It seems to help ratings. 🙇🏽♀️ 🤗
I will do that when I get back on my pc Selma 🤗🙏
Thank you, Maggie!
My pleasure Dawn 💕
My heart is overflowing with gratitude, Selma, for your kindness and support! Thank you so much! I will share this on my blog and social media.
Hey Dawn. Blessings to you. You did same for me when I was going through the same and I never forget such kindness. I hope this continues as it is. Up, up, up!
Enjoy the journey. Here’s looking at you 🥂
Pingback: Interview with Poet Selma Martin 3/25/24 | Dawn Pisturino's Blog
I was in Indiana briefly on a trip and lived in Southern California most of my life. I agree they are very different. Your inspiration to write Ariel’s song is beautiful, Dawn. Thank you for the interview, Selma!
Thank you, Miriam!
Aww, it’s my pleasure.
I appreciate you reading and commenting on Dawn’s Interview. I think we all want to know the human behind the words. Thanks for the support, Miriam.
Bless you. 🤗
You’re right, Selma. That’s the reason I like to read interviews. Great job. 👍
WOW Selma, what an interview girlfriend! Thank you for sharing Dawn’s review with us. This is such a blessing and so well done my friend. 🥰🍁💖🍂😍
Thank you so much, Kym!
You are so very welcome Dawn. That is a big feather in your cap my friend. 😘🙏🏼😍
This is true. And the feather looks good on Dawn. 👏🏽 Thanks, Kym.
Oh, I agree Selma! Great job! 🤗👍🏼🥳
Kym. A wonderful day when busy Ms Kym honors us. Kym, my friend. Thanks for blessing us with these congratulatory words. You rock, ma’am. You bring such light to any gathering. Thanks sincerely. 💗 🤗
Oh girlfriend, you did all the excellent work. I just had to stand back and admire it. You are so very welcome my sweet friend. 🥰🙏🏼😊 And you rock too ladybug! 💃🏻💖😘
Having my children and they are my inspiration too.
They bring a whole other dimension to life! They represent life itself.
I agree, they are my world.
I think it’s safe to say we relate to this, right? The best inspiration ever. Thanks Diana. Bless you for reading and commenting. Happy Holy Week to you (if you observe it) 🌴 🌴 👼 🐰 🪺
😀
Love this chance to get to know Dawn and her work better, Selma! Thank you for sharing. ❤️
Thank you, Layla!
Layla, it brightens my day to receive comments like this. Happy you enjoyed the interview. Blessings, dear one. 🤗 🐣
Great job sharing Dawn’s heart and soul where she found her voice and continues to share it with the world. I relate so much to her love of her daughter and admiration of holding and honoring her precious soul in such esteem. Thank you, Selma for a wonderful interview and all the best to Dawn with her new book! 💓💓💓
Delighted you read and enjoyed the interview dear Cindy. It’s a joy to know more about the people we mingle with here daily.
Wishing this sister success on this launch. Hope there are many more to come. Bless you, Cindy. 🤗 🐣
Thank you so much, Cindy!
It’s a pleasure, always!!!!🌹
Thanks, Selma, for opening this window into Dawn’s life. She’s an incredibly talented writer and a wonderful person. I’m so excited for her new book–can’t wait to get my hands on it. 😊
Hey, Mike U. It is indeed a pleasure to showcase this talented human.
I can attest: you will enjoy the book.
Thanks for showing support here, dear new friend. Bless you. 🤗 🐣
Thank you for your kind words, Mike!
What a beautiful poem. I am so looking forward to receiving Ariel’s Song. Regarding the first question. I can understand how those experiences would be difficult. Being an engineer, you are spared such experiences. You are dealing with machines, software and electronics.
The poem speaks to the heart indeed. We’re lucky to know the human behind the words and I know we’re collectively rooting for Dawn’s success with the book.
Thanks so very much for reading and commenting on the interview, Thomas. Bless you. 🤗 🐣
But you seem very human to me, Thomas! Thank you!
Thanks for this wonderful interview, Selma. I loved learning more about Dawn, and since my sister has been a nurse for almost four decades, Dawn’s career resonated with the stories I’ve heard. But helping others has always been in her heart, like Dawn mentioned. Beautiful poem, and I can also relate to her love for her daughter. I feel the same about my daughter and son. Congrats to Dawn and wishing her the best for her book! xo
Thank you, Lauren!
A very nice interview, Selma. You did a wonderful review of her life and work as well as her new book, Ariel’s Song.
She did, and I will be eternally grateful!
Pingback: this is not a poem about a dream, though it could be – Selma
Thanks for this wonderful interview, Selma. I got to know more of Dawn because of this. 🩷
You’re most welcome, Adelheid. Glad you enjoyed. I will do more for ‘our’ Dawn. I just got derailed by a recent loss—I’ll be back with more.
Happy Easter (if you celebrate)
Bless you 🤗
My thoughts and prayers are with you, Selma!
Thank you, Adelheid!
Lovely share. It’s always nice getting to know a little bit more about the writers we enjoy. Her book was a lovely read. Binged it one morning as I was wide awake. It was a good companion in those lonely hours. 👏👏