An Imaginary Affair is a collection of sensitive and sensuous poems for poets and non-poets who appreciate the challenges and intricacies of being human. The poems touch on key human elements, such as love, desire, passion, memory, loss, and gratitude. The poet celebrates the joys, and pains inherent to a woman’s heart, while honoring the wisdoms and tones of Neruda’s poetry. Some of the epistolary poems are directed to Neruda in response to his riveting poems
Reviews of “An Imaginary Affair: Poems Whispered to Neruda by Diana Raab
“Written in response to lines by the great Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, these poems have a daring directness and vulnerability. These are not poems that hide their emotion behind artifice. They explore the beginnings – and inevitable endings – of attraction with a tender and elemental honesty.”
~ Sue William Silverman, author, If the Girl Never Learns
“An imaginary affair is more than a conversation with Neruda’s poems. In this book, Diana Raab unveils trauma, desire, her life experience (‘I am ready to wave goodbye to memories/and bow to gratitude’), and her passionate, non-imaginary affair with poetry. The language is sensual, synesthetic, and at the same time restrained, precise (‘flecks of lemon rind float about this whiskey/swirled with honey from the bee that loves/that buzz you give me’). With subtlety and determination An Imaginary Affair invites the reader to enter the intimacy of poetry; its wisdom (‘And we move together slowly, one step/at a time toward another dance, another life’).”
~ Mariano Zaro, author of Decoding Sparrows
“In this intimate collection of poems, Diana Raab pays tribute to the sensual physicality of Pablo Neruda’s work and to her own real and invented lives. With unvarnished honesty, An Imaginary Affair celebrates a woman’s heart and mind through a handful of odes, epistolary poems, and the idea that memory and anticipation can sustain and nourish us; even drinking a glowing hot toddy is transformed into a meditation on how an ordinary act can awaken desire. Her unvarnished honesty gives equal attention to matters of mortality, where loss is lyrically considered (“…will you run from me / when trains sleep at their stations”), and also explored in the spirit of open curiosity (“How long does it take / for a pine casket to disintegrate / in this caving land…). These poems remind us that to be alive is to try and balance joy and lament, and how through this effort we more deeply inhabit the world and ourselves.”
~ Emma Trelles, author of Tropicalia and Poet Laureate of Santa Barbara
“It isn’t unusual for a writer to be influenced and inspired by other writers. Diana Raab takes that inspiration one step further in An Imaginary Affair: Poems Whispered to Neruda. Penning a collection that serves as heartfelt and direct responses to specific works of Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. Over the course of roughly two dozen poems, Raab writes in a tone that is vulnerable, sensual, therapeutic, and pleading- somehow often all simultaneously.
The book as a whole is a quick read. Most of the pieces are comprised of only a handful of lines, but the imagery created by Raab’s words linger long after, in many cases prompting a careful re-read for a more complete picture. Poetry is a highly subjective art, but it is hard to ignore the power and the passion that live on these pages and exist with an almost palpable ferocity. It takes a strong grasp of language and nuance to create a collection on this level.
I enjoyed this collection immensely and wish there was more of it to read. I especially liked the fact that the author included the list of poems each of hers was paired with, so readers could investigate further and become familiar with Neruda’s work. For existing fans of Neruda’s, this collection is a wonderful compliment and a must read. For those not familiar with him it serves as a loving homage and an introduction. This is a fantastic collection with excellent writing that opens a gateway to new things.”
~ Literary Titan
“5 Stars
Magnificent and Intimate
This collection of poetry by Diana Raab, PhD is a remarkable work of words and expression. Diana Raab’s poetry resonates withs Pablo Neruda, one of the most widely read poets in the 20th century. Raab, however, puts her own thoughts and emotions into her work. Neruda was one for writing love and odes. In An Imaginary Affair the words almost linger across the pages, the emotions filling the air as each one is read. I liked this so much, I read many of the poems twice or more. Each one was so intimate, intense and a celebration of being a woman, and a human being, that I can’t pick just one that I loved. Each one is different and shows the heart and passion of the poet. Somethings you can’t explain, especially when you read something, and it invokes emotions of your own, while feeling the emotions and thoughts of the poetry. I look forward to reading more by this poet. This book is a definite recommendation by Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. “
~ Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews
“An Imaginary Affair by Diana Raab is a sensual collection of poems that represents the intense relationship that Raab has with poetry and how the poems of Pablo Neruda have inspired her. Additionally, there are poems about her family and her love for them. In “Your Smile,” she talks about her son, how she loves to see him smile, and how it pains her to see him sad. The “Unfolding” is about when she fell in love with the poetry she was reading, how it impacted her, how this love affair started, and she didn’t want to stop reading. The poems are so provocative that you think they are about an actual affair, and that intensity reveals Raab’s passion for words used well and their value and purpose in life.
An Imaginary Affair by Diana Raab is an emotionally charged, beautiful, and charismatic collection of poems that inspire and transport one’s imagination. I love reading and writing poetry, and never have I seen that love so eloquently expressed as Raab has done. Each poem in this collection is deliberate and purposeful, complementing each other. I feel that Raab clearly articulates her emotions. Her poems are, therefore, expressive and complex yet comprehensible for a broader audience to understand and appreciate. My favorite poems include “The Unfolding,” “Your Smile,” “Tonight I Can Write,” and “Please Don’t Forget Me.” I enjoyed reading this collection; each poem is beautifully written. I found this collection to be fascinating, artistic, and daring. Raab has created a well-crafted and carefully considered collection that resonated with me.”
~ Jennie More, Reader’s Favorite
“At last, a woman’s answer to Pablo Neruda, not just an answer to him as a poet, but an answer for him as a lover. Diana Raab evokes all the beauty in An Imaginary Affair that Neruda created. She dances with his poetry, uniting the two like shavings of delicate chocolate melted on the tongue. Her poem, “Please Don’t Forget Me” spoke everything I carry in my heart after losing my husband two years ago and as she says, “orphaned by a love” in “Tonight I can Write.” Soft and tender and true as the fluff on a little bird’s belly, these whispers will stay with you. Please read.”
~ Cheryl Achterberg
“Diana’s personal sensuality defines the poems in this book, which evokes appreciation for the eroticism in one’s own inner and outer life. As always she shines thru her words.”
~ Tom Wallace
“This was a wonderful poetry collection that evokes some great imagery. This collection really takes you on a journey from start to finish, and I felt like I was getting a peek inside Raab’s mind. Each poem clearly had an emotion tied into it, ones that almost all will experience if they live long enough. I would definitely love to read more poetry by her in the future, as I enjoy her style quite a bit.”
~ Liliyana D.
