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[spacer id=”a9c946162c4f0071d24094c97c852a29″ height=”20px” height_mobile=”20px” hide_on_desktop=”false” hide_on_mobile=”false” _made_with_builder=”true”][/spacer][content_slider id=”dec04f885e3c3fbc8e261272eb88226f” content_slider=”[{"item_image":{"attachment_id":"194","url":"\/\/therealjackssmack.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/WhatsApp-Image-2024-11-24-at-5.53.49-AM.jpeg"},"item_title":"JACK'S SMACK","item_subtitle":"","item_content":"<p>Jacqueline (Jack) P\u00e9rez is a first-time poet who, at 60, discovered the transformative power of words\u2014even those that rhyme. Unexpectedly, after a month-long sojourn in Istanbul, Jack felt compelled to explore life\u2019s intricacies stanza by stanza.<\/p><p>Facing significant life moments, as we all do, she began crafting poetry in the wee hours of dawn as a means of expression and connection. Jack shares her vulnerability directly with the reader, QR code by QR code, often hiding in her closet to read these poems aloud. Metamorphosis in Stanzas is a heartfelt debut, capturing themes of love, loss, and renewal while inviting readers to embrace the beauty of change.<\/p>"}]” custom_styling_picker=”{"custom_styling":"no","yes":{"first_letter_color":"#222","title_typography":{"google_font":false,"subset":false,"variation":false,"family":false,"style":false,"weight":false,"size":40,"line-height":62,"letter-spacing":1,"color":"#222"},"subtitle_typography":{"google_font":false,"subset":false,"variation":false,"family":false,"style":false,"weight":false,"size":13,"line-height":24,"letter-spacing":1,"color":"#333"},"subtitle_accent":"yes","subtitle_border":"none","subtitle_border_color":"#333","padding":"30px 5% 0 13%","padding_mobile":"30px 6% 0"}}” images_lightbox=”false” auto_height=”false” equal_height=”true” hide_on_desktop=”false” hide_on_mobile=”false” animation_on_scroll=”{"animation_enable":"yes","yes":{"animation_type":"fadeInUp","animation_delay":"0"}}” _array_keys=”{"content_slider":"content_slider","custom_styling_picker":"custom_styling_picker","animation_on_scroll":"animation_on_scroll"}” _made_with_builder=”true”][/content_slider]

[special_text_block id=”90e29aba47e23450d98aceb026a5d8f9″ type=”light” title=”The Weight of Growth” subtitle=”Like a child growing into their next phase, sometimes growth feels heavy and awkward.” custom_styling_picker=”{"custom_styling":"no","yes":{"first_letter_color":"#222","title_typography":{"google_font":false,"subset":false,"variation":false,"family":false,"style":false,"weight":false,"size":52,"line-height":73,"letter-spacing":2,"color":"#222"},"subtitle_typography":{"google_font":false,"subset":false,"variation":false,"family":false,"style":false,"weight":false,"size":12,"line-height":29,"letter-spacing":4,"color":"#333"},"subtitle_border":"dotted","subtitle_border_color":"#333"}}” text_content=”<p>I remember when he'd start to puff,<br />His cheeks would round, all soft and fluff.<br />A little plump before the leap,<br />Then suddenly, he'd stretch in sleep.</p><p>In those odd weeks, his pants grew tight,<br />His shoes would vanish overnight.<br />He’d wake up tall, all limbs and knees,<br />Like he’d been watered by degrees.</p><p>And now it’s me who feels confined,<br />Like life’s a puzzle I can't unwind.<br />I stumble through, like in a fugue<br />My thoughts all tangled, legs askew.</p><p>Wouldn’t it be nice, a growth spurt, free—<br />Without the bloat and misery?<br />To wake up tall, no stretch marks earned,<br />No psychic toll, no lessons learned.</p><p>But here I stand, a little thick,<br />Knowing soon the growth will stick.<br />So, here’s to growth with all its pain,<br />A rugged path, yet still I gain.</p>” image=”{"attachment_id":"230","url":"\/\/therealjackssmack.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/The-Weight-of-Growth-Image-BW.jpg"}” vertical_position=”center” horizontal_position=”center” hide_on_desktop=”false” hide_on_mobile=”false” animation_on_scroll=”{"animation_enable":"yes","yes":{"animation_type":"fadeInUp","animation_delay":"0"}}” _array_keys=”{"custom_styling_picker":"custom_styling_picker","image":"image","animation_on_scroll":"animation_on_scroll"}” _made_with_builder=”true”][/special_text_block] Watch Now

[testimonial_carousel id=”c01c9874d54c418ed112102e15f60075″ testimonial_carousel=”[{"testimonial_text":"Metamorphosis in Stanza is a deeply moving exploration of transformation, loss, and resilience, woven from a woman's perspective at the threshold of 60. Each poem offers a glimpse into the raw, often bittersweet realities of change\u2014whether through grief, restless journeys, or the quiet unfolding of self-discovery. Metamorphosis in Stanza isn\u2019t just poetry; it\u2019s a companion for the journey. It would make a perfect gift, a gentle reminder that there is always grace to be found amidst life\u2019s restlessness.","testimonial_author":"KAY NEWTON","testimonial_company":"","testimonial_link":"google.com"},{"testimonial_text":"Jack\u2019s book of poems is beautifully crafted, from the words on the page in each poem, to the pictures depicting the story behind the words. The poems range from light and airy to dark. Not the kind of dark that you should avoid as a reader, but the kind of dark that draws you in to look deeper into the meaning of the words and how they might impact you and\/or those around us. Thank you for sharing your personal triumphs and tragedies, Jack. You continue to help me and other women breech aging with thought, empowerment and even grace.","testimonial_author":"GAYLE PETRILLO","testimonial_company":"","testimonial_link":"google.com"},{"testimonial_text":" Jacqueline Perez has created a deeply personal account of life events within the flow of poetry. Even though this is her story, the skill with which she creates the individual poems transcends her alone and becomes relatable to anyone reading it. The imagery she has selected increases the power of the word.\r\nThe surprise of offering a QR code to listen to her voice reading her poems is genius. Contributing the meaning of each piece as a means of allowing every reader to understand the basis of the creation of the individual poems, opens the doors to her inner self.\r\nThis book is a piece of art and resonates with anyone who has faced challenges within their own life. Brava to Jacqueline.","testimonial_author":"PATRICIA FAUST","testimonial_company":"","testimonial_link":""}]” content_alignment=”center” custom_styling_picker=”{"custom_styling":"no","yes":{"name_typography":{"google_font":false,"subset":false,"variation":false,"family":false,"style":false,"weight":false,"size":14,"line-height":29,"letter-spacing":0.6999999999999999555910790149937383830547332763671875,"color":"#222"},"company_typography":{"google_font":false,"subset":false,"variation":false,"family":false,"style":false,"weight":false,"size":13,"line-height":29,"letter-spacing":0.65000000000000002220446049250313080847263336181640625,"color":"#222"},"content_typography":{"google_font":false,"subset":false,"variation":false,"family":false,"style":false,"weight":false,"size":24,"line-height":40,"letter-spacing":0,"color":"#222"},"padding":"40px 10% 50px","padding_mobile":""}}” auto_height=”false” hide_on_desktop=”false” hide_on_mobile=”false” animation_on_scroll=”{"animation_enable":"yes","yes":{"animation_type":"fadeIn","animation_delay":"0"}}” _array_keys=”{"testimonial_carousel":"testimonial_carousel","custom_styling_picker":"custom_styling_picker","animation_on_scroll":"animation_on_scroll"}” _made_with_builder=”true”][/testimonial_carousel]