Dr. Carla L Ibanzo’s poetry offers a unique exploration of multicultural experiences through the art of storytelling.
Dr. Carla L Ibanzo’s life is a beautiful blend of cultures, experiences, and unyielding passion for the human journey. Born and raised in Jamaica, she has spent a large portion of her life traversing the world, teaching, writing, and soaking in the diverse cultures of Japan and China. Her early years shaped her perspective on life, and her global travels helped to frame not just her career but her art. She used her observations and encounters to create poetry that transcends borders and connects readers to the human experience.
The core of Dr. Ibanzo’s writing lies in her belief that our stories, though shaped by where we come from, speak to the universal truths that bind us all. Through her multicultural poetry, she explores the intricacies of life across three distinct cultures, Jamaica, Japan, and China, offering an intimate window into the rhythms of each. But more than just a celebration of these diverse cultures, her poetry is an invitation for readers to embrace the beauty of life’s complexities and to explore the path less taken..
A Personal Connection to Every Word
Dr. Ibanzo is more than just a poet, she’s a storyteller who uses her life as the canvas for her work. Her poetry is rich with personal experiences and observations, yet, it speaks to something far greater than just the writer’s perspective. Each verse is deeply reflective and grounding. It gently guides the reader through life’s transient emotions to what really matters – self-love and self-acceptance. Every line offers a piece of her observations and insights, layered with the values and lessons she’s learned along the way. Her poems are not only descriptions of places, they are emotional landscapes and reflections of the indomitable human spirit. She also speaks about her Christian faith and belief in God in her writings. And the power of believing in miracles.
Word Petals: A Book That Speaks to the Heart
Dr. Ibanzo’s Word Petals has earned recognition as one of the best books of 2023, selected by Independent Book Review. This collection of poetry is not only a testament to her skill as a writer but to her ability to weave life’s most profound lessons into her work. The book, like Dr. Ibanzo’s life, is a fusion of voices, experiences, and perspectives. Whether exploring the resilience of the Jamaican spirit, the serene and elegant beauty of Japanese gardens, or the wisdom of Chinese proverbs. With each page, readers are drawn deeper into a world of shared experiences, one where language, rhythm, and heart, form the bridge between the personal and the universal. Word Petals captures the essence of these cultures with grace and authenticity.
Other Books – Pineapple Moon and Hanaki
In her other books – Pineapple Moon and Other Poems for Children and Hanaki, Dr. Ibanzo expanded her literary offerings, allowing readers multiple entryways to her writing. Pineapple Moon and Other Poems for Children is a children’s poetry book that seeks to give a voice to and empower introverted/shy children. Children who may be often overlooked and excluded. It is an engaging, rhythmic and imaginative book, full of fun and adventure. The poems aim to build confidence, resilience and character in young readers, weaving important life-lessons and values that will help to nurture and inspire them.
Hanaki is a powerful collection of poetry that “speaks to anyone who has ever struggled with self-doubt, failure, heartbreak or the weight of unfulfilled dreams. Each line is a gentle whisper to the soul – encouraging, soothing, reaffirming and empowering.” For each section of the book, the author cleverly invites the readers to select their choice of song, creating further opportunities for them to feel included and understood.
A Life of Adventure – Learning, Failing & Succeeding
What makes Dr. Ibanzo’s work so compelling is the depth of her life experience. Having taught in Jamaica, China, and Japan, she has been immersed in cultures that span across continents and ideologies. Through her travels and teaching career, she’s encountered people from all walks of life, each one contributing to the diverse tapestry of her perspective. Dr Ibanzo observes how each culture views societal constructs like identity, family, success, and so on.
Yet, it is her unwavering faith and belief in the power of learning from failures and keeping one’s dreams alive that resonates deeply with her readers. Dr Ibanzo encourages her readers to become strong and grounded as trees, and to use their failures as fuel to chase their dreams. Most importantly, she reminds her readers that dreams have no expiration date and that success is not a linear process. For Dr. Ibanzo, her poetry isn’t just a creative outlet, it’s an extension of her purpose in life, to help in expressing the shared humanity that transcends language and cultural barriers. Below is a sample of one of her inspiring poems.
Fail Up
I’m not successful.
In fact, I’m the biggest failure and coward,
I just refuse to quit.
Got better at failing,
Courted my anxiety,
Made friends with my fears, and sometimes even conquered them.
And I kept going, despite failing repeatedly.
And every failure – the blueprint to my “success”.
People just saw the getting better part of failing,
And called it winning.
© Ibanzo 2025
The Gift of the Long Journey
One of the central themes in Dr. Ibanzo’s work is the lessons of the journey, both literal and metaphorical. Drawing inspiration from Solange Knowles’ quote, “The long way will become a theme in your life, but it’s a journey that you learn to love”, Dr. Ibanzo reminds us that the true beauty of life lies in the paths we take, and the lessons learned. Not so much the outcome. Whether it’s navigating a new culture, or overcoming personal challenges, the journey becomes a vital part of the human experience.
Dr. Ibanzo’s writing doesn’t shy away from exploring the difficulties that come with change, growth, and learning. Her poetry captures the struggles and triumphs that come with navigating diverse cultures, life’s challenges, and experiences, offering readers a chance to see themselves reflected in the very journeys she describes. It’s a reminder that no matter how long or winding the road may be, it is always worth it.
A New and Rising Voice in Literature
Dr. Ibanzo’s poetry speaks to the need for diversity in literature and storytelling. Voices from all corners of the globe deserve to be heard, Dr. Ibanzo stands as a powerful new voice, amplifying the richness of cultures often limited in literature and on mainstream platforms. Her poetry is not just an exploration of cultures, it is an exploration of identity, resilience, and the strength that comes from rising from failures.
Future Outlook
As Dr. Ibanzo continues to share her writing with the world and increase her readership, readers can expect even more powerful and evocative works. She’s currently working on new poetry collections and other projects that will further explore the intersection of culture, identity, and the resilience of the human spirit.
To dive deeper into Dr. Carla L Ibanzo’s work and connect with her journey, visit her website at CLI Ink or follow her on social media:
Dr. Ibanzo’s books are available at Barnes and Noble and Amazon.
