unfolding love

poems for tender hearts

by james kerti

If you’re someone who feels everything deeply, and does your best to keep going, Unfolding Love is for you.

This poetry collection is for the tender-hearted—for those who were called “old souls” as children and “too much” as adults, and who carry emotions that don’t fit neatly into boxes.

If you’ve been struggling to navigate the soft, uncertain places where love has left or changed shape, these words are written to meet you in the in-between:

  • following a breakup that still echoes
  • after a friendship fades without explanation
  • in the days after a decision—right or wrong—you can’t take back
  • when it’s been long enough that people have stopped asking how you’re doing—but you still feel it


Unfolding Love
is meant to meet you where you are—on what can be a lonely path—and offer companionship along the way, as you learn to trust the shape of your heart’s unfolding, even if it doesn’t make sense yet.

what readers are saying

Reader review on Amazon
Reader review on Amazon
Give yourself the gift of reading this masterfully curated collection of poems that will bring you into the quiet corners of your heart. The places that you want to travel to, but maybe have a hard time getting there. James gives you a roadmap into the tender spaces within all of us humans, and offers a salve to the aches, stretches and big feels with his beautiful words.
Reader review on Amazon
Reader review on Amazon
I absolutely loved this collection. James thoughtfully arranges his poems into themed selections preceded by compelling introductions. I particularly like his inclusion of preludes before each poem, which sets the tone for you as you as the reader. I have never seen another poet do what James has done with this lovely and tender collection.

Unfolding Love is truly a moving debut, well-worth adding to your library.
Reader review on Amazon
Reader review on Amazon
I love the unique format of Unfolding Love, with preludes to each poem taking us into James’ inner world and intention behind each poem. I especially connected with the poems that were grounded in nature… which thankfully there were many of. Each poem filled my heart.
Unfolding Love

about james kerti

James Kerti is a poet and writer whose work explores self-trust, emotional resilience, and the way memory shapes us.

His debut collection, Unfolding Love, is a lantern-lit invitation for anyone learning to navigate the soft, uncertain places where love has left or changed shape.

In addition to writing poetry and prose, James works as an online business consultant for creatives and mission-driven organizations. His path has taken many unexpected turns, from basketball scouting to public service.

He lives in the Pacific Northwest.

contact james

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