Inspired by her ‘heart of love’

Twin Rivers woman authors book of poetry.

By: Michael Ross
   EAST WINDSOR — The sea is calm, blue and clear on Love Island — a secluded place far from snow and shivers, where a Twin Rivers poet finds solace.
   "Heart of Love," a collection of poetry by Sandra Bliszcz, went on sale this week at Barnes and Noble, Hamilton.
   The 62-page book is the first published by the Twin Rivers Drive North resident, who dedicated the work to her husband, Denktas, a native of Cyprus — the poet’s "Love Island."
   "He’s my heart of love," Ms. Bliszcz said Monday.
   Last month, the 46-year-old poet self-published "Heart of Love," a book of 39 poems that speak to children, spirituality, seasons and travel and emotions of the heart.
   Subtitled "Poetry for All Ages," the book "has a lot of spiritually and religion in it," Ms. Bliszcz said, adding that her poems offer light entertainment. "It’s very child friendly this book."
   Ms. Bliszcz, who grew up in the Trenton area and has lived in Twin Rivers for 13 years, dabbled in writing poetry and short stories throughout high school and college.
   "I always enjoyed writing," said Ms. Bliszcz, who cited poets Walt Whitman, Robert Frost and Emily Dickinson as some of her favorites. "It’s very relaxing and soothing to me."
   "Heart of Love" features poems written be- tween 1997 and 2004.
   "I like the poem ‘Beauty’ because it’s talking about the earth," Ms. Bliszcz said. The poem speaks to subtleties in nature that often go overlooked, she added. The poem mentions such subtleties as "winds bending lilies," and "plants orbiting in a galaxy of light."
   "’You and I’ is a favorite," Ms. Bliszcz added. The poem is about a bride and groom who share the "lovely moment" of a wedding, the poet said.
   Ms. Bliszcz, who works as a part-time director of human resources and marketing for a local nurse-staffing agency, has written more than 200 poems during the past 10 years and roughly 40 light pop songs over the past six years.
   "I’m always excited about music and writing," Ms. Bliszcz said. To me, "it’s not work."
   Her song "Spirits Within" was one of 21 Christmas songs released last month on the album "Rejoice," a CD produced by Hilltop Records Inc. of Hollywood, Calif.
   "My goal is like film and television," said Ms. Bliszcz, who added that she has discussed writing songs for the film industry with Paramount Pictures Corp. of Los Angeles, Calif.
   "Presently, I’m working on a novel," Ms. Bliszcz added. It will be a book of fiction based on a true-life story of a baby that endured two heart transplants. "Triumph of the child wanting to live is really what the story is about."
   Ms. Bliszcz will sign copies of "Heart of Love" at Barnes and Noble, Hamilton, 425 Marketplace Blvd., on Feb. 12 at 2 p.m.
   Books are available at the location for $10.95.