Joan Wiley is a unique and imaginative fiction writer and poet. Her work strongly relates to the struggle and power of the human spirit, using figurative language to create lyrical micro-stories with the idea of inspiring imaginative perspectives and imagery intertwined with strong emotion. A Sword Song for Blood Roses is filled with poetry and prose that acknowledges the personal battles we fight within ourselves as well as the external world. This book is a collective ode to our ability not only endure, but ultimately prevail. Heartache is a devil that comes to us in many forms and we have choices about how we will get through it. The natural instinct of the human spirit is to reckon with adversity and overcome it. We are fighters! Our will demands us to survive and thrive. "Each of us wields the power of an internal sword, able to banish our sorrows of blood roses with its song." --JOAN WILEY Themed chapters explore emotional landscapes of Sorrow, Hope, and Triumph. Readers are taken on a transformational journey by rhyme and reason, which speaks to the enduring strength of the heart and soul. Though weakened at times, an eternal fire of fortitude burns within each of us and demands we take action. Feelings of despair can cause us to want to give up - or look to others - or a higher power for help, and encouragement does help. It is a call to that which we must summon within ourselves, the strength we must raise in order to help ourselves. We conquer adversities, conflict, self-doubt and damaged self-esteem not by the coddling and kind words of others - but through perseverance, self-belief, and self-love. "Higher, high above I see, what glory lies out in front of me, and I prefer to appear the fool, to carry out this plan for destiny, ignoring those who seek to mold my reality. I am the power, wonder and will to succeed, belief is all and everything I need, the glory of hope flies inside of me." --Excerpt from "Hope Flies" Seven original drawings by the author are also included in the book lending imagery to associated poems.