Raindrops
Besa Kosova
PublishAmerica
ISBN: 9781424184132
Reviewed By Wendy Paulson
Official Apex Reviews Rating: 
Perhaps
the greatest compliment that can be paid to poetry is that it is one of
the most utilitarian of all literary genres. Poets freely employ verse
to tackle a vast range of issues, including everything from politics to
societal mores to spiritual conflict, and rarely do they find
themselves at a loss for words regarding their chosen topics.
Of
course, poetry tends to be most effective when used to address the deep
internal struggles with which we are all familiar. Depression, broken
hearts, loss of loved ones – there's nothing like a well-scripted
stanza or perfectly constructed rhymed couplet to serve as the tie that
binds us all in common humanity. Poets often don't get enough credit
for seamlessly conveying even our most personal of experiences for
widespread review and reconciliation.
Such is the case with Raindrops.
In her debut collection of poetry, Besa Kosova fearlessly "goes there"
time and again, sharing with the reader her greatest joys and gravest
fears, alternating between climactic physical highs and abysmal
emotional lows. She shamelessly exposes the secret musings of her soul,
and, in so doing, encourages the reader to take the same progressive
steps on the road to ultimate healing and redemption.
Consider this passage:
"Why complain?
No one knows
– your pain.
No one cares
nor do they mind,
when worst comes around,
They love to see you
– facing the ground."
And this passage:
"I am a survivor,
I am going to win,
I will not accept
This doom written for me.
Yes, I will change,
I will do whatever it takes,
to build my own future."
No
more clearly does the juxtaposition of these two passages reflect the
true dichotomy of the human condition, as well as both the external and
internal forces that tug daily at the human heart.
Also, this
passage speaks volumes as a striking testament to the dualistic urges
we all experience as the natural and the spiritual wage eternal war for
our souls:
"For all the times that my spirit was beaten,
for all the times you've hated me,
For all the times you've wounded me,
for all the pain you have caused,
I sincerely pray for you,
and from the bottom of my heart –
I forgive you."
All in all, this simple two-line summation brilliantly captures the everyday feelings of many a soul regarding life in general:
"After the rain comes the sun!
Or, was it after the sun comes the rain?"
Raindrops
is a heart-rendering read, but it's also a very necessary one if the
reader is ever to understand the true power of unflinching honesty
nestled deeply within the frailty of the human spirit. Highly
recommended.
Official Apex Reviews Interview: Besa Kosova (Raindrops)
Apex Reviews: Thanks for joining us for this interview, Besa. We're looking forward to learning more about your book.
Your writing has the polished, subtle power of a seasoned veteran. How long had you written prior to publishing Raindrops?
Besa Kosova: Thank you very much for the wonderful words, they mean a world to me, but I'm just a baby in this industry. Presently, I am learning to crawl -- still have so much to grow, so much to discover, and yes, so many dues to pay. But again, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I have been writing ever since I learned the alphabet. The first poem I wrote, at the age of six, was about peace. My first recorded publication was in the second grade.
AR: You tackle such tough topics as drug abuse and poverty in the book. Are these issues with which you've struggled personally?
BK: Yes. I do tackle tough topics and issues that many are not willing to write about today. Some are, but not many. It seems to me, when life drowns me in the ocean of sorrows, is when my writing is at best. Raindrops, is just a glimpse of my experiences. Novels that I am currently completing, especially Eliana's Diary of Krak, will expose a lot more of what I have learned from such pitfalls. Even though, I speak through Eliana, a fictional character, I am grateful for my past. I am thankful for every experience, every mishap, and every challenge that life has thrown my way. Because of them, I have grown to the woman that I am today, and as a result, I am determined to fight harder.
Personally, I have never struggled with drug abuse. In fact, I have never smoked, nor do I know what an alcoholic beverage tastes like; however, I was married to a crack-cocaine addict for several years. I experienced drug abuse through him. Simply put, when I think back on those experiences, I cannot believe I made it alive. But here I am today, using that negativity, in hopes to create beauty.
Yes, I have struggled through poverty. The poverty level that I have experienced I would not want my worst enemies to know. That is what my writing is mainly about. I want to write about the America that the world does not see in television -- the America that no one believes it exists unless they live through it themselves. It is also the America I want to reach with my words, along with those that care to know what dreams are made of.
AR: Was it difficult for you to write about those topics?
BK: No. Raindrops, is a compilation of moments as the events unraveled. On page thirty, for example, there is a poem, which I wrote as we were arguing on the way home from work. Now, I laugh at it, but it is actually sad when I think about it.
I recall so many times pulling to the side of the road to write. I think the difficult part was experiencing a life I never imagined it existed in America. It was a mental shock and an adjustment at the same time. I think it is why I felt the need to write about. I just could not accept it. In many ways, still don't. In my mind, poverty did not happen in America, yet it did, in the worst ways possible. I had to learn the hard way, I guess. Yet again, I believe we live in the greatest country in the world, and as long as we persevere and believe in ourselves, this is the only place where dreams are possible.
Furthermore, I find it more difficult when I re-read my writings and trying to use those experiences for my novels. Now that I have finally gained the inner peace I fought for so long, I only question, how it was possible to live through such atrocity. "Was that me?" I often ask myself. I have also realized that I would never be able to put my soul through such shredder again. I am at the point in life, where harmony is my most prized possession. Therefore, I will never allow anyone to touch my peace – ever again.
AR: Many of the pieces in the book reflect a remarkable inner strength in overcoming the toughest of obstacles. Where do you get that strength from?
BK: God. Inner determination. Never taking 'no' for an answer. I am a strong believer that one can achieve almost anything as long as we believe in ourselves and persevere. That is why it is my greatest hope to find a traditional publisher for my novels, so the readers can learn more my about writing, while inspiring them to change their lives.
AR: Is poetry therapeutic for you?
BK: Yes it is. It has been the cheapest therapy as well. I guess, when you are a writer, you write. I write everyday, regardless. I have been dedicated to everyday writing ever since high school senior year. Journaling and writing poetry was not only a therapy, but also an escape from the dreadful reality.
When I married my husband, who was an American, which incident shocked my family, they disowned me. I had no friends, I and did not have the right to work in the United States. I had to stop my college education because it was unaffordable. Soon after, I found out that my husband was a crack-cocaine addict. With that, my world crumbled. I had nowhere to turn. The only things I had were my pencils and my dollar-store journals, which I bought from collecting change here and there, or recycling soda cans. The biggest arguments between us were either about his drugs or my writing. To him, I was a person that needed growing up, and need to learn how to face the reality. To me, the only reality I knew was between the pages of my journals. So, I never thought what I wrote, I just did. In a way, I am glad I never grew up.
AR: How has your publishing experience been thus far with PublishAmerica?
BK: I am not sure. I should say I feel neutral towards Publish America. As far as bringing the book together, yes, I am satisfied with the finished product. Yet, there are few other things that I disagree with. Neutral. That's the word at the present.
AR: What's next for you?
BK: My first goal is to complete a Masters Degree in Creative Writing at University of Central Florida. Secondly, find a publisher for Eliana's diary of Kosova, my first novel, and hopefully Eliana's diary of Krak, the second book in the series of four. I have other work available, if the opportunities present themselves.
AR: How can people learn more about your writings and other efforts?
BK: Anyone can learn about me via my links below:
Personal Myspace: www.myspace.com/besakosova
Web: http://besakosova.googlepages.com
First Novel Myspace: www.myspace.com/dearbesko
They may also email me if they choose, at either:
besakosova@publishedauthors.net
besa.kosova@yahoo.com
AR: Any final thoughts you'd like to share with our readers?
BK: "Wish it. Dream it. Do it!"
AR: Thanks again, Besa, and best of continued success to you in all your endeavors!
BK: Thank you for being courteous, kind, and most of all professional. You truly are great! It was my pleasure working with you and I wish you all the best in all your endeavors! In addition, I look forward to working with you again.