Ectasy of the Heart - Paperback
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This collection of poems embodies the soul of Ismael S. Rodriguez Jr., a Navy veteran with ancestry from Puerto Rico and the Philippines. Within the lines of these verses, we witness the intricate tapestry of his life, shaped by the burdens of schizophrenia and PTSD. Each poem serves as a testament to his resilience, as he fearlessly channels his experiences, beliefs, and emotions onto the written page. Through his heartfelt words, Rodriguez bares his innermost thoughts, exposing the raw depths of his being. With every stanza, he unravels the complexities of his existence, creating a profound connection between his readers and the multifaceted nature of human existence. This collection stands as a poignant reminder that art has the power to heal, transform, and give voice to those whose stories are often silenced.
Ismael S. Rodriguez Jr. is a poet and writer whose work dwells in the space where stillness meets pressure. Shaped by lived experience, movement, and sustained attention to power and survival, his writing blends lyrical witness, surrealism, and contemplative resistance. A U.S. Navy veteran who served during Operation Desert Storm aboard a ship deployed in the Mediterranean, he carries an enduring fascination with authority, machinery, discipline, and moral ambiguity-often approached sideways, with humor and grace.
His work has appeared in Halfway Down the Stairs, The Beatnik Cowboy, Chiron Review, Nebo, Home Planet, Lost Lake Folk Opera, Pensive: A Global Journal of Spirituality & the Arts, Muse Literary Journal, and elsewhere. He is the author of multiple poetry and fiction collections and is currently working toward traditional publication while continuing to explore what survives after spectacle fades.
Rodriguez lives in Florida, where he writes quietly, listens closely, and believes that attention itself can be a radical act.
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