Chakana - Paperback

In Chakana, Myra Tejada Rasmussen weaves an intricate tapestry of heritage, memory, and self-discovery, drawing inspiration from the ancient symbol of the Inca Cross. Like the Chakana itself, her poems explore the intersections of spiritual and earthly realms, past and present, personal and universal truths. From the mythic shores of Isla del Sol to the intimate warmth of garlic-scented kitchens, the collection pulses with life - balancing raw honesty with tender reverence. Each poem marks a step in a journey through healing landscapes, enduring familial bonds, and the search for belonging in a world of shifting identities. With vivid imagery and a voice both vulnerable and resolute, Chakana invites readers to explore the profound complexity of carrying history within oneself.

-Sarah Lubala, author, A History of Disappearance

This collection is a creation story all its own. Sacred and mythic, tangible and sublime, these poems are witness to identity, family, and the places that shape us like gods shaping their world.

-Michael Ramos, author, The After: A Veteran's Notes on Coming Home

Myra Tejada Rasmussen's unmistakable poems hold at their core both a vivid and rich sense of family and place. They are imbued with Incan mythology, the speaker's evocative internal journey, an utmost love of poetry and the beauty of the Spanish language, and even imaginary personal conversations with Pablo Neruda. The poems are threaded with passion and a seemingly effortless, yet mellifluous lyricism and they are lit as if from within.

-Malena Mörling, author, Ocean Avenue & Astoria