Bouquet of Cigarettes - Paperback

by Juliet Bautista (Author)

Written over thirteen years, Bouquet of Cigarettes is a poetry memoir exploring the paradox of beauty and pain-of love, loss, family, and the quiet unraveling that comes with growing up. The collection traces a journey from adolescence to adulthood, capturing memories that linger long after people leave.

Containing more than 300 poems, the book is divided into four chapters: Growing Ashes, Smoking Flowers, Blazing Thorns, and Blossoming Flame.

The first chapter, Growing Ashes (2013-2018), is a portrait of youth tangled in the naive hope of first loves. Smoking Flowers (2018-2022) is a transformative reflection of a woman navigating her early twenties, with all its thrills and beauty. Meanwhile, Blazing Thorns (2022-2025) traces a turbulent love that eventually led to separation.

Lastly, Blossoming Flame (2020-2026) overlaps with the previous chapters-a reminder that growth is rarely straightforward. It explores healing in the quiet aftermath. It is self-reflection in motion.

Together, they make up Bouquet of Cigarettes, a story that moves like a film-one you can start at the beginning, or fast-forward to the ending.

Some pieces are imagined. Most are remembered.

All were true in the moment they were felt.