About Broer // Bridges
I write poems because I feel compelled to! Poetry is my way of understanding myself and the world. I have a strong desire to share my poetry with you, because I believe it may touch something in you too; that we may recognize ourselves in each other – in the confusion, the clarity, and the longing to live the best life we can.
I live my life in several worlds and in at least two languages. With my roots in India and my wings in Norway, I dream, think, and feel both in English and Norwegian – in harmonious, and at times less harmonious union. I no longer know which language is ‘mine’, nor do I feel the need to choose anymore.
Sometimes a line for a poem comes to me, wordless, in a dream at night. Other times a clear childhood memory sparks the writing in English. Or it could be an encounter with the vast ocean that unleashes waves of writing in Norwegian. Only in my dreams do I sail easily between these two languages, without needing to know in which of them my heart rests best. I find it intriguing that my poems choose their expression in both languages interchangeably.
My poems are about small, everyday joys and sorrows, big questions, magical moments in nature and encounters with others. For this collection, I began writing in the language that spoke to me in the moment, either Norwegian or English, and then translated or transcreated the text into a twin or shadow poem in the other language. In this way, I continuously travel in time and space, across linguistic and other boundaries, building bridges both inward within myself, and outward towards you.
That is why Broer // Bridges feels like the most natural title for this book. It is my bilingual attempt at finding my place in the world and within myself.
Under the name Resonance, I have chosen to self-publish because I want to own the entire process from A-Z and express my authentic self through the book. Many hours, weeks, months and years have been poured into publishing this book and I hope it resonates with you.
When you buy Broer // Bridges, you support my passion for writing and sharing poetry with as many people as possible.
Write to me at post@arzanne.com to order!
Illustration (detail): Rachita Vora