By Marissa Wells
Contributing Writer
“Love Prayer Poems,” by Bethanee Epifani J. Bryant, is a small collection of prayers that detail the type of love the author desires in a romantic partner.
The book was inspired by an interview where a celebrity shared that she prayed for her current partner.
“I thought to myself, ‘I wonder what my prayers to God would sound like,’” Bryant said. “So, during the pandemic I began piecing together poems for my own enjoyment.”
The creative writing activity eventually morphed into a poetry book consisting of 14 poems that address relationship desires such as laughter, reciprocity, protection and more.
Writing “Love Prayer Poems” proved to be cathartic for Bryant and it’s her hope that her book encourages others to engage in self-reflection and vulnerability.
“I hope readers will get curious about the ways they want to receive love,” Bryant said. “I hope they read and feel the vulnerability of the poems; sometimes it’s hard to admit that we want to be loved because it puts us in a vulnerable position.”
Bryant said she recognized the limited opportunities for vulnerability that Black women especially experience in their daily lives.
“As a Black woman surviving in America, there aren’t enough spaces that allow you to be vulnerable,” she added. “You are faced with having to be strong, or pretend to be strong, for the sake of your survival.”
“Love Prayer Poems” is intended for all women and men 18 years of age and older and it’s meant to be read out loud.
“You can read it silently if you prefer, but there’s a power in speaking it out loud; not just in terms of affirming something for themselves but hopefully they can be more connected to me as the author,” Bryant said.
One of Bryant’s favorite highlights of her book is how small and convenient it is to carry.
“You can take these poems anywhere and read them over and over again,” she said.
“Love Prayer Poems” may embolden readers to think deeply about their relationship desires and make steps toward welcoming them into their lives.
In addition to being an author and poet, Bryant is a coach, trainer, teacher and speaker. She is based in Torrance. For more information about the author and her work, visit bethaneeepifani.com.
“Love Prayer Poems” is available for $7 via BethaneeEpifani.com and Amazon. The book was published by Good Jenks Publishing.
