The Karma of a Woman

Barbara Pierson's short memoir in verse is a powerful personal account of the actualization of her natural right to create and destroy life, and the imprints it left on her soul. Beautifully illustrated with mandalas by Kimberly Febo. Barbara Pierson wrote the poem in this book when she was 26 years old, after her second experience with pregnancy. Her purpose, she explains, is neither to promote, condemn, nor argue what is right or wrong. It is, instead, a channel for others to tune into for support. Her hope is that it will serve to create empathy and understanding for the pain and deeply personal circumstances that might drive a woman to what is perhaps the most difficult decision of her life. ABOUT MANDALAS: Mandalas are considered to be one of the oldest forms of art and have been used throughout the world for self-expression, spiritual transformation, and personal growth. The symbols and visual images inscribed in a mandala vary from culture to culture. Many are intricately designed, using extreme geometrical detail with colors and shapes to create a symmetrical picture within the circle. Some traditions portray pictures of gods, goddesses and other natural objects. The Tibetans view the mandala as symbolic diagram of the greater cosmos, and Native Americans use them in healing rituals. Even in Christian cathedrals, the labyrinth is a mandalic pattern used as a tool for meditation. Regardless of what part of the world they are used, mandalas transcend all religions. They speak the language of spirit.