The Self is an Ocean

“The Self is an Ocean" is at once a striking and gentle confessional collection, one which explores trauma, love, nature, spirits, queerness, healing, and Tamizh identity without ever unbraiding one from the other, thus essentializing their unity. The scenes we enter through each poem are visceral; bursting with color, shape, touch, scent, music, and light, even as we approach spirits, death, loss, and phantoms.” - Devaki D. Devi, author of Earth & Earth-like Planets (Abode Press)

“Cypher’s poetry collection examines female identity forged by self and others. Sometimes sweet and savoury and sometimes sour and spicy, these are poems as much about pain and struggle as they are about resilience and living your truth. The reader is called to behold, envision, listen, inhale and savour—an invitation not to be ignored.” —Emily De Angelis writer of the award winning The Stones of Burren Bay (Latitude 46 Publishing)

“Cypher writes with a pointed precision that will bring you face to face with the truth of human experience. Dark, rich, delicious and at times disturbing, the poems detail the deep inner world of an artist. If you have ever been curious about the shape of a soul, this gorgeous collection explores it in dazzling colour and clarity -- bold and unashamed. Read it, and let it call you closer to your own humanity.” - Arlo Yee, author of poetry collection Lucid