Cirrus@Austlit

'Take a walk with Kathleen Panettieri Down a Cobblestone Lane. It is the journey of a lifetime; you will meet her ancestors and find out how her immigrant parents - one Greek, one Irish - shaped their future in Australia. In giving tribute to her heritage, Kathleen steps onto the path with intention, ready to embrace life to the full, providing ample subject matter for the 134 poems in this, her second book. There is much love in these lines, mixed with strength, courage and wisdom; there are struggles and triumphs, losses and affirmations. Following cancer treatment in 2016, writing these poems provided comfort and a useful distraction; now, cancer-free, they are tangible proof that Kathleen continues to live her motto: 'Life is for celebrating.'  Yes, this is a book of poems, but it is also a multi-faceted story that will be loved by poetry lovers and all who love a great narrative.'  (Publication summary)

'Come on a journey with me through the autobiographical trails of my life, written as poetry. Discover that the similarities in our lives are greater than the differences. Though our circumstances may seem to be poles apart, I invite you to look closely with me at our shared humanity and recognise that the themes underlying our many stories are vastly similar. Life is a carnival, and we are the mask wearers. From the everyday to the ethereal, from the mundane to the mystical, you will find yourself, somewhere, in this collection of poetry. I have been using poetry as a personal means of self-expression. For many years, it has helped me through dark moments of depression and through periods of deep questioning in my life. It has allowed me to access deeper and deeper levels of myself and connect with the inspiration that has been the driving force behind much of my poetry.'  (Publication summary)