The anticipation in awaiting the arrival of Zayra Yves' audio poetry can only be exceeded in fervour by the wonder guaranteed upon receiving the physical article - a cd encased in quality photography and art that will enchant eyes before ears take their rightful turns to be enamoured, all doors in the corridors of the mind offer themselves for a promise of being unlocked, and the soul that has forgotten how to fly may suddenly be reminded of the wings on which it can depart the drudge of the mechanical aspects of everyday existence.  

Zayra speaks much of love throughout this album. Not the over-commercialised, half-hearted notion of love churned out by greeting card companies come Valentine's Day,  but that which melds separate bodies together into a single entity of light not needing to beg permission before permeating the otherwise lonesome shadow of the night, nor the mornings that elect to garb their skies in grey. Love that embraces humility, acknowledges its misplaced steps, and dares to defy ego as it wanders the learning curves and passageways connecting heart to heart; one we too often await alone in desperate hope of being discovered, unwittingly trading our best chances of happiness for the folly of not realising a simple truth: that love is already within us,  yearning simply to be given - both to ourselves as individuals, and to others. 

The twinning of Zayra's poetry with the music of Gardner Cole opens a gateway to landscapes we are compelled to explore from the outset, our journeys beginning with a fittingly mysterious and atmospheric musical arrangement accompanying "Becoming Abstract" - the first of twenty-two tracks in this collection, each paving out the moments and miles, enlightenments, experiences, reveries and recollections of one who walks her way of days with the heart of a lion, a mind as open as a moorland midnight, and a spirit refusing to fall, falter, shy or sunder as the tales and trials of time drift down to be strewn beneath her name. 

Throughout the cd, the listener ventures pilgrimesque along the succession of tracks as the accompanying instrumentals lend to the lyrical, each complementary, never overpowering or competing with the mystical poet's vocal expression which remains in lucid harmony with its counterpart until the end, whereupon we gradually return to the awareness of our own four walls, yet finding ourselves challenged to deny we have not been inspired, aroused or affected in some profound manner from the point our audience was first granted.

I recommend Retrograde Motion and the gift of Zayra Yves not only to those who love poetry and music, but to all who simply love - or yearn - to feel utterly, unquestionably alive. 


Stuart Higginson:  writer, artist and co-tutor of drama workshops for adults with learning difficulties.
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A lone planet stops briefly, then incredibly, moves backwards for a moment 
in time against the black night’s shining stars. Zayra Yves is that lone 
light, stopping time to teach the listener that there is a path of love for 
each of us if we are brave enough to travel it. This is a highly personal 
work with a message for all. “Becoming Abstract” sets the tone with Zayra’s 
sweet, clear voice speaking as an artist, and a grown woman, looking at the 
world around her, through moist, newly opening eyes, seeing it change even 
as she reaches to touch it, yielding to her vision, and opening herself to 
be “touched more often.”

She speaks of many things, but especially of love, often gentle, sometimes 
highly erotic, spoken paradoxically ever-so-sweetly, by a woman who loves 
deeply, expansively, and generously. The beautiful, soothing, rhythmic 
music, and the artist’s gentle, sometimes erotic voice, take the listener on 
a journey of discovery, and rebirth. But there is some irony here too as 
Zayra looks at the landscape of past-but-still-present loves that launched 
her journeys. A nod to Charles Bukowski speaks to that irony, then Zayra 
takes us on an optimistic, transcendental, cosmic journey. The listener will 
find some of this work penetratingly “close to the bone.” But this is really 
a joy song of life, reaching out to the universe, to a nearby lover, and to 
the listener with passion and gentle caring, and teasingly with some ever 
so-sweetly-turned-out lust, telling an unfinished tale of the pain, 
pleasure, and transcendent possibilities of love.

I was moved by Zayra’s poetry upon my first hearing. I am moved by it still 
as I sit in darkness losing myself to her words.

My favorite is “I Want You” but I won’t speak for that work. It will speak 
strongly for itself and resonate in the reader long after. Be warned Zayra's 
love is addictive. It should be a controlled substance. It will change you.
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Should anyone wish to know what the definition of "art" might be, I would suggest they listen and read Zayra's incomparable works. She possesses each and every quality that creation demands of us - heart, soul, mind, body, compassion, knowledge, understanding, yearning, tolerance, honesty, intelligence, generosity, sensitivity...I could go on for some time with various superlatives in describing this woman, this poet, this artiste extraordinaire. She has, like so many others, spent her life in pursuit of light, truth, justice, equality...and I believe that this world has been greatly enriched by her searches and discoveries. She is not afraid to stumble and fall - nor is she unwilling to rise again, to face the tasks and glories that a new day brings. She does not hesitate to ascend when the wind calls her name - she soars. Yet, she is very much of this earth - a guardian of grace, a warrior for love. She explores galaxies within a single moment and unveils the ancient within us all. I have many favorite poems among her collected works, and many favorite lines within her poems. Here are but two of them:
 
from "Becoming Abstract" - 
"and hope wanders around not fully known"
 
from "A Lost Cry" - 
"new stars will be born"
 
It is quite easy for me to shower Zayra with praise, because her poetry is so pure. Her humility is unquestionable. Her rapport with this existence is undeniable. I have known her for a few years now and will attest to her grace, her consistency, her kindness, her constant support of other artists, her soothing voice, her healing song.I cannot recommend her gifts highly enough.
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I have long been a fan of Zayra Yves' poetry. In this offering of poetry, music, and atmospherics, I am envolved in a visceral way.

From the opening poem, "Becoming Abstract" we know we are in for something special. We gain a peek at her "process" that seems, for a moment, just that. By the end, we are drawn into a sort of metamorphasis, a becoming, an opening of herself/ourselves that seems to invoke our own evolution story, a dance with language, personal evolution, and universal hungers.

The first line of "Not Waiting" could stand alone as a philosophy. We are reminded that, in these difficult times, life is, indeed, what we make it, with miracles available to the open eyes of a dreamer, a lover, the brave forger of fragile bonds. 

In "What Might Still Be" we are offered hope, beauty, magic. We stand reminded that mystery is our friend, that, whether we embrace Buddahism, the Tao,or kneel, supplicant at the base of gathered stones, magic is acessable, visable, and in the very existance, our birth, there is a universal mother of all of us, and hope.

The melding of music and poetry is seamless, with very high production values, and each adding to the strength of the other. The audible voice of the poet actually mirrors the soothing clarity and vulnerable, open quality of the poetry. If you listen to Ani Defranco and wish the poetry was more acessable, or read your favorite poet and wish it were entwined with just the right music, this is a must have CD. 

I've listened to mine about six times, and still find new treasures, unfolding nuance. Listen and learn, open, bloom.
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