Red Ribbon is a collection of darker, and in some cases more personal poems straight from the heart of writer Anastasia Martin, who previously published under the pen name of Eirin Martin. This book as well as a few of the poems within are dedicated to Anastasia's uncle, Erik, who tragically took his own life in 2010 at the young age of 30. Being only nine years apart and having many of the same problems in life with being judged by their relatives Anastasia was closer to her uncle Erik than even to her own father, his brother, with whom she often doesn't see eye to eye. Only a year prior to his death, Anastasia had run away from home and it had been Erik who took her in and helped her through a very dark time. Many of the poems featured reflect the lingering personal feelings of that time as well as feelings we've all experienced in our lives at one point or another. The title Red Ribbon refers to the Japanese legend of the red thread of fate that binds us to one another. Though many of the thoughts and emotions expressed in these writings touch on some rather deep and dark places we may be afraid visit, there are also words of triumph and inspiring perseverance encouraging us to continue to live and to love.
