arkhe: a debut poetry collection that blends myth and personal history
In Alicante, a small poetry shop known as the Jevi Bookstore of 80 Worlds hosted a showcase for a new voice in contemporary poetry. The event, set for the evening hours, drew attention to a debut collection titled arkhe, published by Candaya. The gathering featured a conversation with Martha Cabrera, a representative from the University of Alicante, and offered readers a glimpse into the work behind the book.
The poet, a graduate in Hispanic Philology and a member of the Letras de Contestania collective, has long pursued poetry with quiet persistence. arkhe introduces readers to a lyrical project built on a foundation of personal experience and mythic imagery. The title echoes the Greek concept of origin, signaling a focus on beginnings and healing. The author reflected that poetry has always been part of their life, though not always the central path, and emphasized that this collection represents a more consistent exploration than anything attempted before. The author also noted a sense of gratitude for finding a home with Candaya and for the opportunity to share space with a lineup of admired authors.
Covering the collection, the back of arkhe humorously describes the bookshop as a portal to eighty worlds, a playful nod to the creative landscape in which the poems were conceived. The author explained that the writing process spanned more than a year, with the final touches completed within the recent months. Writing proved more challenging than publishing, a reality that underscores the effort invested in shaping these verses. The journey of publication is acknowledged as a meaningful milestone, one that aligns with a broader catalog of poets associated with Candaya.
arkhe unfolds as a compact work divided into two distinct sections, with a sharp contrast between two parts that ripple outward like tiled fragments. The collection threads together literary tradition and personal narrative, weaving through classical myth and modern sensibilities. Mythical figures appear as allegories for inner ailments, alongside literary anchors such as Virgilio, creating dialogues that frame the poems within a wider cultural conversation. The poet describes these dialogues with other writers as instruments that lend musicality to the text, enhancing the poet’s aim to articulate experiences that might otherwise go unspoken.
Therapeutic dimensions of writing surface prominently. The poems go beyond the idea of writing as mere therapy; they position literature as a vehicle for addressing universal concerns that are often left unsaid. Topics frequently considered taboo—cancer, abortion, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts—surface in a carefully calibrated literary register, inviting readers to acknowledge difficult truths with empathy and honesty. The author frames arkhe as a project that extends beyond personal relief, inviting others to witness the shared terrain of hardship and resilience through language that can resonate deeply.
For a close friend in the poetry circle, the work is described as a bold voyage—a countercurrent that moves toward the heart of instability while charting a map of sanctuary. The reference points include Orpheus’ lyre and the Greek chorus, alongside stark social realism drawn from the Spanish literary landscape. This combination signals a textured approach that honors poetic traditions while anchoring them in contemporary experience. The collection thus becomes both a voyage and a refuge, a form of literary navigation through the storms of life.
Readers will find arkhe not merely as a sequence of images but as a coherent exploration of origins and healing through a modern poetic voice. The poet’s method invites readers to engage in a dialogue across time, using myth as a language to speak about personal trauma and collective memory. The result is a work that embraces musicality and narrative clarity, offering a reading experience that is at once intimate and expansive. The publishing house’s catalog supports this intent, presenting arkhe as part of a broader conversation about poetry that blends tradition with contemporary concerns.
In a literary landscape where voices often collide with the noise of quick trends, arkhe stands as a deliberate, thoughtful project. Its two-part structure, its mythic resonances, and its willingness to interrogate difficult topics together form a compelling invitation to readers who seek poetry with both courage and tenderness. The collection invites the reader to consider beginnings, healing, and the ways in which storytelling can illuminate paths through pain toward possibility, all conveyed with a voice that is unmistakably contemporary and richly literary. The book’s emergence marks a meaningful moment for Candaya and for the wider network of poets who explore how personal experience and classical references can illuminate shared human concerns.