When My Absence Becomes a Moon

"Within wonderfully visual tensions-winter and spring, perception and truth, stagnation and rebirth, waxing and waning-Rexha reminds us to find the peace that is all around us: in a waterfall, a painting, a city, prayer. Stunningly delicate and
impactful!" -Crescent Reviews

"Laureta Rexha's poems are a journey through a landscape of self-discovery, confession, and eventual contentment. Each poem captures a milestone in this journey." -Wael Almahdi, author of A Breeze from the East

"Laureta Rexha establishes herself as a poet who explores and offers her own responses to the drama of modern humanity, from their relationship with the Creator to the individual's relationship with themselves amidst their crisis of alienation. Regarding the information conveyed in her verses, it can be said that it is measured and, for the most part, not explicit, requiring effort to decipher. This is certainly connected to the author's worldview, which is guided by morality and a belief in the recipient's ability to absorb subtle information." -Milazim Krasniqi, author of Rigjetja e Vetes

"Both a profound observation on the facets of conversion and a love letter to God's creation, Laureta Rexha's When My Absence Becomes a Moon guides the reader through a rediscovery of humanity and the universe ... While inner peace can be found, the path remains challenging, with the world continuing to present its pains and uncertainties. Laureta's work captures both the innocence of conversion and the inevitable coming of age that all of humanity experiences ... Your mind will have traversed many planes of thought and wonder by the time the book is done, and you'll yearn to take that trip again." -Warren Clementson, poet and primary school teacher

"Rexha's collection of poems gives us pause for patient reflection, laden with urgency, of a universe locked within the human soul. Navigating between distant galaxies, the change of the seasons, to the beating of one's heart and ticking of the clock deep in the night. To the laughter of children, and the familiar sights of her beloved city streets, to the quiet restraints of her familiar home that she longs to leave but always returns, where it forever shapes her soul. Like the girl who does not know how to leave, Rexha leaves us loving, accepting, but wanting more. Reminding us of the profound transitory nature of life, like the scent of a white flower we have missed in our haste and the realization of the moment gone and the splendor transformed. A beautiful dance between the mundane and sublime." -Brandon Mayfield, author of Grains of Destiny

"Rexha's collection of poems is a breathtaking journey through Divine love and the beauty of life. Her vivid imagery and emotionally resonant language struck a deep chord with me as a fellow poet. What sets Rexha's work apart is her unique ability to weave these themes with such grace and clarity, creating a tapestry of words that feels both timeless and refreshingly original. Her poetry offers a perspective that is deeply personal yet universally relatable, making this collection a truly remarkable and unforgettable experience." -Flamur Vehapi, author of Verses of the Heart