Believing that the ultimate value of poetry lies in facilitating man's search for meaning, poet Maria Victoria A. Grageda-Smith strives to write poetry that is not only accessible to the greater reading masses of everyday people but also suggests a glimmer of hope even in the most deplorable human conditions. This is the driving force and paramount voice in "Warrior Heart, Pilgrim Soul: An Immigrant's Journey," her first book of poems. "Who am I as a writer?" Ms. Grageda-Smith asks in the Preface of this book. In attempting an answer, she discovers that, like her beloved native country and people, she is, as her poem, "A Letter to My Mother" describes, "...always seemingly caught between worlds--neither here nor there, neither this nor that, eluding tidy description, belonging nowhere...." This collection chronicles the inherently conflicted yet ultimately rich and textured journey of an immigrant woman compelled to achieve a radical redefinition of individual and national identity against a backdrop of life-changing circumstances and parallel historical developments in the United States and the world. Here are what a couple of critics say about "Warrior Heart, Pilgrim Soul: An Immigrant's Journey: "A cohesive poetry collection that.... boldly address(es) the beauty and ugliness of life.... in grand sweeping language.... (R)eaders will delight in.... original perspectives on well-worn tropes.... A forceful poetic expression of art and the self." --Kirkus Reviews "....excellent writing.... elegant, meaningful and powerful... descriptions and images are exquisite... (H)er voice is intelligent but does not overpower.... I like the way (she) gives us something to think about and teach us awareness .... (of) love and appreciation for life.... (G)ood universal poetry (that) shows (her) passion for all mankind.... compassion for all who suffer and (her desire) to make the world a better place. But even in this sadness (she doesn't) bring us down." --Pat Underwood, multi-awarded poet and author of the poetry collection, "Gatherings"
About the Author: Philippine-born, award-winning author Victoria G. Smith writes poetry, fiction, and non-fiction, following an earlier law practice career in Manila distinguished not only by the prestige of the law firms and companies she's worked with, but by her significant pro bono work for indigent clients and other social justice and human rights advocacy. After marriage to an American that led her to immigrate to the United States, she pursued her childhood love for creative writing. She is a nominee for the 2016 Pamana ng Pilipino Philippine Presidential Award for Overseas Filipinos for outstanding literary achievements. The Chicago Filipino Asian American Hall of Fame is honoring her with the 2016 Woman of the Year Award. The same group also recognized her with the 2013 Outstanding Writer and Community Volunteer Award. Her recent other literary distinctions include the 2015 Driftless Unsolicited Novella Award for her novella, Faith Healer, and semi-finalist for the 2015 Elixir Press Fiction Award for her story collection, Faith Healer and Other Stories. Brain Mill Press published and released Faith Healer in March 2016. Her fiction first gained national U.S. recognition in 2004 when her short story, Portrait of the Other Lady, won first place in the Fifth Annual Ventura County Writers Club-Ventura Country Star nationwide short story writing contest-the first time she'd entered a writing contest. Her essay, "Gatekeepers and Gatecrashers in Contemporary American Poetry: Reflections of a Filipino Immigrant Poet in the United States", appears in Black Lawrence Press's 2015 anthology, OTHERS WILL ENTER THE GATES: IMMIGRANT POETS ON POETRY, INFLUENCES, AND WRITING IN AMERICA. Her poetry and other literary work appear in, among others, Fifth Estate, Reed Magazine, Voices Journal, Ruminate Magazine, Abyss & Apex, Westward Quarterly, The Earthen Lamp Journal, Lyrical Iowa, and Dicta. Smith also writes a monthly poetry column for VIA Times Magazine. Her poetry collection, Warrior Heart, Pilgrim Soul: An Immigrant's Journey, was published in October 2013 to critical acclaim spearheaded by Kirkus Reviews. She is currently writing her first novel, Gabriela's Eyes, a story collection, Daughters of the Bamboo, a second poetry collection, Mother of Exiles, and a poetry chapbook, Incursions of Light. Updates on her literary work and author events may be found in her website, VictoriaGSmith.com; on Facebook at Author Victoria G. Smith; and on Twitter @AuthorVGSmith.