To My First Love (TMFL) by J.R. Sonder
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.
The Mosaic
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.
Hopeful and romantic poetry (allegedly)
Perfect bind paperback (A5), 164 pages
Hand wrapped and packaged
The Responses
"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
"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
The Excerpts
(click the image to read)
Hopeful and romantic poetry (allegedly)
Perfect bind paperback (A5), 164 pages
Hand wrapped and packaged
For you... or your poetry lover
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.
www.jrsonder.com Copyright © J.R. Sonder / J.R. Sonder & Co. 2025
To My First Love (TMFL) Copyright © under Copyright Act 1968 (AUS).