This lyrical confession is an invitation to join my journey of initiation into self-knowledge and self-realisation. I dedicate the volume "Inner Callings - A Pilgrim's Diary" to those who, like me, yearn to fulfil the human body and soul in testing times in the world... 

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"I knew Bristena Mantu's verses from various prestigious cultural publications; I appreciated the sensitivity, the substance, and the emotion conveyed; I expected her to dare at some point to incite the appearance of the "spirit" of a book; this volume confirms the appearance of a new Supergirl of Romanian poetry [...] A troubadour, but also a princess of (quasi)absolute Freedom, Bristena Mantu enchants, provokes, reassures, conquers, loves: bow and arrow for lost paradises, not to be defined, but to be rediscovered! Freshness, candour, that of the eternal bride Bird-Phoenix, bird-Writer, towards her own burning! Song of the Romanian lark over the world!"

 

(A.G. Halil-Secară, foreword)

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"The book was received today. Many thanks. Owning your first publication of transcendental musings is an honour and privilege. I read a couple of random poems and am very impressed. Congratulations on completing this masterpiece, it's obvious you have a strong connection with God and are assisting in elevating humanity. The greatest work possible. From my heart, thank you."

 

(J. Artstew, reader)

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"Bristena Mantu dares to affirm her originality by firmly distancing herself from the cannons of previous generations, calcified in outmoded thinking systems. The poet lives the drama of a solitary explorer by owning the role of a trailblazer and, with an insurgence of youthful vitality, Bristena Mantu makes her debut in literature with the conviction of a seasoned poet, conscious of her creative calling and purpose to offer the entire world the light of authentic self-knowledge. In every word of her poetic expression, one is touched by the fire of her inner burnings, revealing a restless soul blessed by the wings of geniality." 

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(V. Dimofte-Chiriac, literary critic)

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"Dear Miss Bristena Mantu, your verses in "Inner Callings - a pilgrim's diary" gave me the hope (in fact, long lost!) that poetry is still worth believing in! With love and good wishes for your sensitive beauty." 

 

(A. Pop, editor)

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"The special aura of Bristena's poetic self-portrait is sourced from the richness of "the love I came here to be" ("Love is Within"). Her book is not only a pilgrimage of self-exploration and self-analysis, for Bristena isn't just a pilgrim, but a wonderful "pelerina" (raincoat) defending us against the rain, the sun, the clouds, helping us to (no longer) be afraid of Ourselves! She is special because God rediscovers itself through her breath, toils, and trust in her rebirth efforts. Bristena loves the human soul and encourages us: Don't forget where you come from! How many soul doctors write bilingual poetry, daring to expose the radiograms of their own inquiry, as if awe strikingly turned into art exhibits?"

 

(C. Goldu, Ph.D., Romanian Language teacher)

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"Bristena's book urges us to accept our destiny with serenity, with no remorse, lamentation or revolt. Many trials will appear along our way, but we shall discover the quintessence of life within them. Bristena knows how to bridge the gap between two worlds or two hearts. At peace within herself, Bristena gifts us a volume whose debut, I believe, will not only resound in the world of art connoisseurs but also across all communities who value love, kindness, generosity and true friendship. If there are voices that deserve to be heard, Bristena's is certainly one of them. In her poetry book, accompanied by her pilgrimage journal, I invite you to discover the joy of offering pure soul and the kind of love without which the world wouldn't exist." 

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(I. Chiracu, engineer, reader)

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"Unusual for our turbulent times, fraught with pandemics, poverty and war, Bristena's volume exults in light, love, soulful overflow, and inner peace. The recipe for such inspiration could consist of remembering her spiritual roots, intellectual studies in foreign territories, the self-knowledge gained through professional training and a burning desire to align her soulful experiences with the body. In a world of duplicity, fakeness and imposture, the honesty and courage to publish such material of therapeutic merit deserve to be cherished. Not anyone can be sincere, but only those who know how to make meaning of their confessions."

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(P. Stoicescu, literary critic)