VIOLET is the expression of a woman seeking, achieving and deeply experiencing romantic and sensual love. The poems follow a similar trajectory to those of the English metaphysical poet John Donne and end with the persona equally intensely soliciting the embrace of God. ~~~~~~~ “A lyrical and satisfying collection of love poems” —Proverse Prize Judges ~~~~~~~ “Carolina Ilica links the passion and longing of the past with the reality of today, unafraid to reflect the vulnerability and fleetingness of passion, bringing out feelings that are both strong in their longing and delicate and fragile in their existence.” —Birgit Bunzel Linder, (Shadows in Deferment (2013; Winner of the Proverse Prize 2012), Bliss of Bewilderment, 2017). ~~~~~~~ “Carolina Ilica’s Violet is one of those works through which we can glimpse the minds of the goddesses Aphrodite and Diana – when they hunt down Adonis – if we dare to know the minds of gods at all.” —Elbert Siu Ping Lee (Rain on the Pacific Coast, 2013) ~~~~~~~ “A sensuous, drench-dipped journey into the art of metaphysical conceit. It whispers of religious symbolism, yet teases with the pure shock of carnal innovation.” —Hayley Ann Solomon (Celestial Promise, 2017)