The poetry book “What is the soul made of?”, by Juan Jaimes, offers readers a series of verses in which they can find answers to experiences and situations they are experiencing, said the writer himself.
The work is aimed at people of all ages and is written in free verse. It addresses daily situations, personal experiences and the encounter with everyday life, with the intention that the reader discovers in each poem a possible answer to the central question: what is the soul made of?
Juan Jaimes is the pseudonym of the priest Marco Antonio de Jesús Becerra Pérez, member of the diocese of San Juan de los Lagos, Mexico City.
The book will be presented in Mérida next Thursday the 20th, at 12 noon, in the Multiple Use Room of the Great Museum of the Mayan World.
The priest told the Diario that he has been writing poetry since he was 10 years old and that his literary training is linked to the musicality present in the verses and the images evoked in each poem. For this reason he signs his literary works under the name Juan Jaimes.
The author explained that his poetry constantly turns to significant places, moments and people, especially fond memories of those who have left for various reasons. His verses, he detailed, address his own and other people’s life experiences, because he is convinced that a poet can reflect the lives of others and convert the experiences of others into one’s own.
In the first section, titled “What is the first root of the heart”, the author presents a poem inspired by the loss of loved ones, experienced closely.
He also stated that he enjoys getting involved in other people’s lives through poetry and transforming those experiences into verses, which allows him to explore common emotions. Although the work is not a religious book, he recognizes that the poems are impregnated with his spirituality as a priest.
From the question that gives its name to the book, he noted, the reader can find different reflections about what makes up the soul. This publication constitutes the first volume of a series that hopes to continue in the future.
He pointed out that using a literary name is also a way of inviting readers to approach the verses and poetry directly, rather than focusing on the figure of the author.
He considered that, although it is natural that there is interest in getting to know the writer, the main purpose of literature is to lead the reader to the reading itself and to what each text can offer.
He reiterated that “What is the soul made of?” It is a book that captures personal and shared experiences, and addresses topics such as the loss of loved ones and family life, especially memories related to parents and grandparents. He added that one of the sections is dedicated to coffee, approached from the daily experience of preparing and enjoying it, as a way to highlight the beauty and tenderness present in the simple acts of daily life.
The work contains around 150 poems distributed over 138 pages and divided into 10 sections. It is available on the author’s social networks: on Facebook as official Juan Jaimes and on Instagram as Juan Jaimes.1, platforms on which the writer maintains direct communication with readers and from which he sends the book. It can also be purchased through Lapicero Editorial and on the Lapicero Rojo website.
During the presentation in Mérida, the copies will be on sale with a price of 270 pesos.— CLAUDIA IVONNE SIERRA MEDINA
At a glance
The author
Priest Marco Antonio de Jesús Becerra Pérez is responsible for Cáritas Diocesana and also serves as chaplain at the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan.
Coordination
In addition, it addresses issues related to the care of pilgrims, including the coordination of the shelters intended to receive those who visit that sanctuary, one of the busiest in the region.
Pseudonym
The priest explained that, sometimes, when a priest writes a book it is assumed that it is a strictly religious text; That is why he chose to use a pseudonym. The name Juan was chosen in reference to Saint John of the Cross, while Jaimes alludes to the poet Jaime Sabines.