To My First Love (TMFL)

J.R. Sonder's debut self-published poetry book

The Collection

To My First Love (TMFL) is a collection of ten years’ worth of choices and exploration of the impact of domestic violence on the eldest daughter navigating aspects of mental health, womanhood, love, lust, and sex from ages 17 to 29. Every element of TMFL was made by hand including the cover art.

TMFL is divided into three acts, with two including sub acts. The acts focus on three key players, The Universe, The Sun, and The Moon. Each act marks distinct turning points in life with new lessons (mostly) taken into account in the next act. Sometimes we have to learn the same lesson multiple times.

It was interesting and emotional to see these parts so vividly after so many years. Sort of how when you look at a photo album, except I was looking at haphazard words in diaries and script matted with tear stains. Though terrifying, it was fantastic to release it all.

A stack of J.R. Sonder's poetry book, To My First Love (TMFL)

The Mosaic

I was in Aotearoa (New Zealand) when I made the mosaic for the cover of TMFL. That trip to Aotearoa was the first time in my life I ever felt truly safe and secure. The mosaic took some hours in between watching F1, day trips to Kerikeri and to Auckland, and living without the expectation and confinement of my childhood.

Mosaic arranges pieces of art materials into a whole image. TMFL is composed of three acts and is not a whole story without the others. Sprayed with glitter spray but photographed in a permanent shadow, the brightness of each act and aspect (Universe, Sun, Moon) moves with the gloss cover of the paper back mimicking the back and forth of growth.

The mosaic that J.R. Sonder made for her book, To my First Love (TMFL).

The Responses

"Authentic and uncomfortable. The script writing is a fun new element that almost makes it a little light hearted. A visual representation of what things appear to be and then the poems on either side make you go oh. So much to interpret and think about it. Love the honouring of Arab and classical poetry."

- Eden, AUS

"I have never read a poetry book written in this way. It was so cleverly and beautifully done that I was compelled to read it in one sitting and then go back and re read. J.R. Sonder shares a deeply personal journey as she navigated her life from ages 17 to 29. Her talent as a writer had me feeling all the emotions. I cried for her and I cheered for her as she showed courage, strength and resilience. What a powerful debut poetry book. I look forward to her future writings.”

- JoJo, NZ

J.R. Sonder's book held apart with a rainbow glass heart.

Your Copy

Thank you for reading and supporting,

Love,

J.R. Sonder

Perfect bind paperback (A5), 164 pages
Personally wrapped and hand packaged
$24.95

J.R. Sonder's book To My First Love (TMFL) wrapped in purple tissue wrap with a purple flower.

The Excerpts (click the image to read)

Ready for TMFL? Get your copy now.

We acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we meet and work. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We recognise their enduring connection to land, waters, and community. Always was, always will be.

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