Close to the Bone (ePub)

Close to the Bone: poetic moments of love and longing is an anthology of poems celebrating love in all its incarnations; be it lovers, friends or family. It takes you on a journey through the author's rich experience of romance, intimacy, loss, desire, familial ties and that ever-present strive for connection. Be moved, be inspired but most of all, be touched by love.

Even though palm to forehead
is the only way our pores
migrate into one another, my entire
body becomes an extension of
this practice. He becomes
my guru, where I lay limp,
hypnotized with this change,
feel the evolution of my cells separate
with his pull. I am in his hands.
~ Excerpt from Plucking the Brow

"During, between and around each line of lusciousness, I found myself wanting another poem, and wanting to be in the scenes myself. What a gorgeous tribute to intimacy and love."
~ Laura Di Franco, Brave Healer and author or Warrior Love, a Journal to Inspire Your Fiercely Alive Whole Self

"Dorathina's visual depiction of a strong yet delicate female mind compliments Sand's effortless words. Each page is filled with a thoughtful sort of beauty — pulling readers in as they unravel the heart of each poem."
~Artemia Perez, local fine arts enthusiast

"Close To The Bone is a thought-provoking literary mixture of introspection of the thoughts, and reminiscing upon the life, of its author Erica Sand… Her ever-present feminine grace is at times a subtle whisper, yet other times a passionate moan, but frequently yearning to fill and to be fulfilled."
~ Rick S. Agustin

About the author and artist
Author: Erica Sand (aka Holly Rustick) is a highly-awarded published author of both fiction and non-fiction titles spanning all spheres of life from business to travel to romance. She describes poetry as the 'deepest root of my love for writing and expression' and with this compilation hopes to impart a sense of sensuality, love and shared experience with her readers.

Artist: Dorathina Herrero is a prolific Guam-based painter and doll-maker who finds inspiration from both within and those around her, emulating the people in her life, her dreams and emotions. With a B.A. in Fine Arts and work featured in the Guam Art Boutique in Chamorro Village, her pieces are moving and sensual – a perfect canvas for Erica's poetic musings.