Skip to main content

Poetry Saved My Life - Part I

 


Photo by annie pm on Unsplash



As we celebrate National Poetry Month, I figured it is fitting to share my favorite poetry collections with you. 


Poetry can be such a joy. I know many detest the art form as it tends to be intimidating but for some of us poetry is a balm. 


I have always loved books but some modern poetry collections resonated differently. They've helped me step out of the shadows and into my voice. 


I believe that good poetry is like medicine. When I am spiraling or need a pep talk I just grab one of the poetry books from the bookshelf, run myself a bath and let the words work their magic. If I had not found poetry when I did Lord knows where I would be. 


This is why I have chosen Rupi Kaur's The Sun and Her Flowers as my first pick to share with you. 




Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash


Lessons from The Sun and Her Flowers


  1. Flowers and plants can teach us a lot about ourselves. We go through stages too. We wilt, we root, we will fall but we can rise and bloom. 
  2. Our experiences affect us whether we believe it or not. We walk around with trauma, which in turn affects the way we love and live. Unless we do something about it. 
  3. The "Mother Wound" runs deep. Sometimes, the things which hurt our mothers are passed down to us. We share their deep-seated pain but healing is possible. 
  4. Though your voice may shake, sharing your story can bring healing. Collective healing is very much a thing and we are stronger together. Healed women heal women is a mantra I live by and has been deepened by The Sun and Her Flowers. Telling our stories can be so powerful.
  5. We ought to love our bodies. Coming home to yourself is coming to the realization that your body is a temple and home. Your body is sacred and beautiful irrespective of the scars and stretch marks. Honoring our bodies and ourselves is such an important thing to do.
  6. The Sun and Her Flowers should not only be read by women but also by those who want to learn to love women well. 




If this resonated with you do not hesitate to purchase The Sun and Her Flowers: 


https://www.amazon.com/Sun-Her-Flowers-Rupi-Kaur/dp/1449486797



Which poetry collections resonate with you? I'd love to hear from you.




Comments

Popular posts from this blog

When Life is Life-ing.

  Photo by  Annie Spratt  on  Unsplash For the past two years, life has been life-ing.  It appears that we aren't able to catch a break in recent times. For some, these hardships extend farther than the last two years. It is no secret that life has not been easy. We are still battling a global pandemic, mental and emotional exhaustion, inflation, rising gas prices, and recession (although we aren't claiming it). If I did not know better I would think that this was the end. Things seem out of control. But what do we do when the world seems upside down? I have concluded that there are just some things that we can not change. Photo by  Nathaniel Worrell  on  Unsplash In the meantime, I try to remember the things I can control; like 1. My breath: I have learned to slow down my breathing and measure my breaths. There are several breathing techniques out there but my favorite is box breathing. Feel free to look up this technique or try out other meditat...

We Are Moving!

Thank you.  This blog has served as a safe space; connecting me to readers all over the world for us since 2019. For that I am truly grateful.  I was first encouraged to start this blog by a friend who felt that that I had a lot to say. (It turned out she was right. Thank you, Lisa. ) This space has helped me to find my voice and my niche. It has been a blessing to witness to my evolution on here as well as learning the cathartic power of community.  It has been quite the journey. Thank you for walking with me. You have seen me through good times and hard times. You have witnessed the publication of two poetry collections. You have read about my heartbreaks, my life's work, my struggles and much more.  I am moving to Substack and I would love if you would come along.  If you wish to continue this journey with me, please use the link below.    Anella's Bits and Pieces Don't forget to hit the subscribe button so you can be the first to read future posts....

Of Rivers and Oceans

  My book baby #2 is out! Of Rivers and Oceans is truly a labour of love.  I spent the last two years working tirelessly on this body of work. It was indeed a tumultuous two years. Between the pandemic, family issues, heart breaks, a toxic work environment, love, joy, therapy, and breakthroughs, it was imperative that I found time to write and compile this beauty. In the end, I must say I am pleased with this collection.  My editor, Steinberg Henry, and I went back and forth with the collection for about six months selecting the pieces and arranging them. Mr. Henry is an esteemed Dominican writer. He is the author of several books, including Calypso Drift and Calypso Drift On Water.   A lot of work and thought went into each poem. That was the vision I had for ORAO. I wanted it to be intentional from cover to cover.  Of Rivers and Oceans can be described as a celebration of heritage, history, healing, and home. Every poem in the collection tells a story of its ...