Paris-based artist Tama Leia is renowned for her incredible style, so it’s no wonder that her books are equally impressive. With each page, she effortlessly transports readers into a world where fashion, art, and literature converge.
In her debut book, The Romantic some of the captivating poetry pieces include “Gucci Divine,” “The Glamour of Motherhood,” and “The Mysterious American,” which all share a common thread of beauty and evocative storytelling.
In “Gucci Divine,” Leia takes readers on a journey through the glamorous and luxurious world of a first encounter that leaves her feeling better than Gucci Divine, intertwining the allure of high-end fashion with the power of poetic expression. Each line is carefully crafted, capturing the essence of elegance and sophistication.
“The Glamour of Motherhood” delves into the profound beauty and transformative experience of becoming a mother. Leia’s poetic verses beautifully capture the unique bond between a mother and child, celebrating the strength, love, and sacrifice that comes with the journey of motherhood. Her words resonate deeply with readers, reminding them of the extraordinary role mothers play in our lives.
In “The Mysterious American,” Leia takes readers on a captivating journey through the streets of Paris, exploring the complexities of love, culture, and self-discovery. Set in the iconic YVES Saint Laurent Cafe, the poem follows the story of an American girl who has always been drawn to the romanticism and charm of Parisian life, immersing herself in the local culture and forming connections with her French friends. However, one day, she finds herself in an unexpected encounter with a mysterious American man.
Surprised by the presence of someone from her own country, the girl is intrigued by the aura that surrounds this stranger. Their interaction sparks a series of emotions within her, leaving a lasting impression that challenges her perception of home and her love for France.
As the poem unfolds, Tama Leia beautifully captures the internal struggle faced by the protagonist. She is torn between her deep affection for the French lifestyle and the undeniable connection she feels with her homeland. The encounter acts as a catalyst, forcing her to confront her own desires, fears, and the possibility of a different path.
In a world where artistic expression knows no limits, Leia’s “Gucci-inspired poetry” stands as a testament to the power of creativity and the beauty that can be found in the intersection of fashion and literature. Her novels are a must-read for anyone seeking a unique and enchanting literary experience.
As a preview of the literary masterpiece to come, Leia made the wise decision to release The Romantic first, allowing readers to indulge in a tantalizing taste of her unique writing style. Stay tuned for the release of Musings of a Poet soon.
Excerpt from the Novel, MUSINGS OF A POET, by, Tama Leia
I was only seven years old when I first met Grey,
the person who would become my first meaningful love. It was a serendipitous encounter that I will never forget. At that time, I had no idea that this young boy had a crush on me. He would often gaze at me from across the table as I diligently practiced my spelling words. However, being oblivious to his feelings, I simply thought he was a peculiar boy.
I couldn’t help but smile at the sight of him, his shaggy bangs, tousled hair and those blue mischievous eyes. I appreciated that he seemed to have a good taste in style as his eyes always seemed to be fixated on my dresses.
While other boys were busy playing sports or collecting Tamagotchi cards, Grey was captivated by the elegance and grace of a well-chosen dress. A tiny trendsetter in the making. Who could blame him? After all, I did have a knack for picking out the most fabulous frocks that could steal the show at any elementary school.
On one particular day I remember a group of boys noisily coming into the classroom. They had just finished playing a competitive game of soccer.
As they gathered around the room talking about their scores and showing off their new sports gear one of the boys’ eyes landed on Grey, who was sitting alone in the corner of the classroom. The boy couldn’t help but notice Grey’s lack of sports gear unlike the rest of them. In a moment of thoughtlessness, he couldn’t resist making a hurtful comment.
“Haha, look at Grey,” he jeered, his tone dripping with mockery. “He doesn’t know how to play sports. All he can do is hope the girls might include him and let him play with their dolls.”
Grey, being a shy and introverted boy, had always kept to himself. He never sought attention or tried to fit in with the other kids. The remark hit him hard, causing a wave of embarrassment and sadness to wash over him. He lowered his head, hoping to disappear into the shadows and escape the piercing words.
Little did the boys know, deep within Grey’s heart, there was a world of imagination and creativity waiting to be unleashed. Despite not having soccer gear or the
latest toys, Grey had the ability to transform everyday objects into extraordinary playthings. He would spend hours constructing intricate structures out of cardboard boxes and designing imaginary worlds using his vivid imagination.
A few months later, a few days after Christmas vacation: The “cool” boys were playing with their extravagant toys loudly during recess. I noticed Grey sitting quietly nearby. Instead of feeling sorry for him, I approached him with an invitation to join in some of my games. Surprised but grateful, Grey accepted and eagerly participated, showcasing his creativity, and adding a unique touch to our playtime.
While the other boys laughed and reveled in their material possessions, they failed to see the resilience and strength that Grey possessed. I saw right away that Grey understood the value of sharing and inclusion, always willing to lend a helping hand or offer a listening ear to those in need.
One day as other children were dashing from their desks as the school day came to an end, I could hear Grey’s mother calling out to him in exasperation, “Grey, come on now! You have your karate practice; we don’t want to be late…”
Grey shyly glided past me, his eyes once again lingering on the colorful fabric of my dress. It seemed like he couldn’t resist the allure of my fashion choices. Perhaps he was secretly plotting his own fashion empire,
or maybe he saw my dresses as a gateway to a world of glamour and style, and a temporary escape from the boys who teased him or the tedious, disciplined regime of his weekly karate classes.
Little did I know that this innocent fascination with my frocks would lay the foundation for our future encounters. Who would have thought that our paths would cross again later in life, and this time, Grey would muster up the courage to ask me out?
But before my love story began with the boy who couldn’t take his eyes off my dresses my parents made the decision to send me off to boarding school, and it seemed as though our paths might never cross again.
Little did I know that destiny had something special planned for us.
Fast forward to ten years later our worlds intersected once more. This time, the boy who had once stared at me from across the table mustered up the courage to ask me out on a date. I was surprised to see him and shocked that he recognized me right away. As I walked confidently through the academic halls, my best friend Lily by my side, I exuded style in a pale blue dress paired with fashionable knee socks and black Mary Janes. The length of my dark hair gracefully brushed against my waist, adding an elegance to my overall appearance.
When I saw Grey I couldn’t believe my eyes: the boy who used to get picked on by the other kids, was now transformed into a dashing gentleman. It was as if he
had been genetically engineered to be the perfect combination of charm, charisma, and style. With his piercing blue eyes and sun-kissed skin, he seemed like
he had walked straight out of the pages of a GQ magazine. It was truly a stroke of luck that he had chosen me among all the girls who gawked over him.
Later, I discovered that it was more than just luck when he revealed that he had secretly been in love with me all those years. He told me that when I left for boarding school, he yearned for my return. He had been keeping tabs on me the entire time. It amazed me to learn that he knew about the people I spent time with and the names of the boys I dated, and he was even aware of all the schools I attended. At one point, he even tried to persuade his mother to send him to boarding school just to be closer to me. Hearing this revelation left me in a state of shock. Could it be true? He was secretly longing for me all those years? I was left speechless.
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