The Pain We Call Love: A Deep Dive into Joanne Sherry Mitchell’s Poetic Collection

Joanne Sherry Mitchell’s latest work, The Pain We Call Love, invites readers into an intimate examination of the multifaceted nature of love, reflecting on personal experiences intertwined with universal themes of suffering and connection.

The Intricacies of Love

Love’s complexity is profound and multifarious, encompassing diverse relationships—be it familial, platonic, or romantic. This multifaceted emotion often intertwines with feelings of grief, anger, and loneliness, leading to intense personal reflections.

Mitchell skillfully addresses these issues, posing challenging questions: How does one respond to infidelity? What does unconditional love become when it morphs into vulnerability? Where can one find hope when tragedy strikes a loved one? Her poetry articulates the isolation and fragility inherent in love, revealing truths that resonate powerfully with readers.

A Poetic Journey of Emotions and Illustrations

This collection marks Mitchell’s thirteenth endeavor in contemporary poetry, showcasing her maturity and skill as an author. The poems are notably concise, often delivering potent messages in a few lines, exemplified by works like “The Purple Bruise.”

Moreover, the poetry is beautifully complemented by original illustrations from Amanda Clark, who also designed the book cover. These visuals enhance the reading experience, paralleling the simplicity and impact of Mitchell’s verses.

The Pain Within Love

Throughout history, love has been synonymous with suffering—a sentiment echoed in her poem “Like Love.” Mitchell’s own encounters with pain, including betrayal and familial loss, form heart-wrenching narratives that underscore her experiences.

In particular, the poems touching on addiction stand out, capturing the emotional turmoil faced when loving someone grappling with substance dependency. They delve into the contrasts between familial love and the addictive nature of substances, raising thought-provoking questions about love itself.

As expressed in her work “It’s a Loss,” Mitchell conveys that genuine love is an all-encompassing experience. To cherish deeply is to open oneself to the potential for significant heartache.

Embracing Loss as Part of Loving

The act of loving inevitably leads to loss, whether through separation, death, or betrayal. However, as Mitchell reflects, this pain is a universal aspect of the human experience. “It’s better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all” resonates deeply, affirming that love—despite its challenges—is worthwhile.

In the poignant words of Mitchell, “Go forward, do not fear a broken heart, for the want of love never dies,” encapsulating the essence of her message and the courage required to embrace love even amidst potential heartache.

About Joanne Sherry Mitchell

Joanne Sherry Mitchell’s body of work includes several collections such as Moments, Moments And Then Some, and many others. Each book offers profound insights into life experiences, aspirations, and the nuanced emotions surrounding relationships, often reminiscent of her background growing up in a large family and her professional endeavors.

Book Details

• Title: The Pain We Call Love
• Author: Joanne Sherry Mitchell
• Genre: Poetry
• Page Count: 152 pages
• ISBN: 9781958505090
• Publish Date: January 10, 2025