Hearken Unto Me

Hearken Unto Me is the first collection of poetry by J.M. Dragovic. Written from 2022 - 2025, the 38 poems contained in this book traverse land and language. With a tone equally distinctive as it is enigmatic, readers will discover shameless inquiries into themes surrounding intimacy, antiquity and introspection.

About the Book:

I began writing these poems at the ripe old age of 24. Something at that time awakened in me, suddenly, words became guided by assurance... paradigms shifted and I was hurled into unknowing. I crossed the wide ocean and came unto a land that I had never stepped foot upon. A land foreign to my throat, but strangely familiar to my skin. The architecture mirrored my thoughts and the radiance of the summer sun was akin to the innermost chamber of my heart. And what poured forth, was poetry.

All my mentors no longer walk the Earth. I was guided by the elegance of John Keats (1795 – 1821), one of the few English poets who mastered the sonorous grace English is capable of. Then there was Ezra Pound (1885 – 1972), who revealed in me the power to speak through the tongues of voices buried in musty, decaying books. To the east, Li Bai (701 – 762) and Qu Yuan (339 B.C. – 278 B.C.) were my flaming pearls of inspiration, they sung the invisible spirit of the mountains. And finally, there was the great and subtle wisdom I encountered in the writings of Rainer Maria Rilke (1875 – 1926), who celebrated the dark, intense weight of our frail humanity.

The time has come to let these poems off into the world. These poems; the children of my mystery. The time has come for these children to leave home and venture out into the vast world.

About the Author:

I was born in Melbourne, Australia in 1997. I'm a musician and poet, and released my debut album Mesmerism in 2024.

Feel free to check out other work I've done here --> www.jamesmdragovic.art

Timeline:

2nd June - 12th July: Campaign open

2nd August: Book Release

If we reach the target, I will be hosting an event to celebrate the release of the book and if you've chosen to receive a copy of your own, I will hand it over to you then.

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I look forward to the day when Hearken Unto Me, silently adorns your bookshelf.

Your generous contribution deals directly with printing and manufacturing costs, giving this book form.

Sincerely, thank you for helping to bring this piece of art to life.

Boundless gratitude,

James

The crowdfunding platform retains approximately 5% ($100) of all funds raised. 

The remaining $1900 will be invested directly into the formatting, printing, production and shipping costs, bringing Hearken Unto Me into the hands of readers.

Any funds raised beyond the campaign goal will be used to expand the print run, increase promotional reach, and support future literary projects.