Swallow

By Fida Islaih

With the pandemic and isolation it made room for self reflection. These poems helped me with accepting my pain and healing from it. It's about seeing my identity and finding self love in the midst of trying to belong in a community, living in a pandemic and other injustices. It shares the journey of doing the work to unpack repressed emotions, memories, and properly processing them. It's about learning and growing through the connections and revelations made. Through it all, I remove my negative self judgement, find my self worth and confidence.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fida Islaih
• Release date: Jun 25, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201583545

Fida Islaih

Fida Islaih is a self published poet and freelance poetry editor. Islaih writes about mental health and cultural experiences. Her faith, experiences and love for nature is the foundation of her poetry. She helps other poets polish their poetry books for self publishing. Aside from her work, she enjoys calligraphy and jigsaw puzzles.

Book preview

To those healing their past, finding where they belong and gaining self confidence.

Trigger Warning

Anxiety

Trauma

Religion

Injustice

Author Note

WITH THE PANDEMIC AND isolation it made room for self reflection. These poems helped me with accepting my pain and healing from it. It’s about seeing my identity and finding self love in the midst of trying to belong in a community, living in a pandemic and other injustices. It shares the journey of doing the work to unpack repressed emotions, memories, and properly processing them. It’s about learning and growing through the connections and revelations made. Through it all, I remove my negative self judgement, find my self worth and confidence.

Table of Contents

SELF

Self Portrait

Part of Me

Put My Heart First

Introvert

Tense Loneliness

Intuition

Scrutinize My Body

What I Love Defines Me

Giving Love

Meaningful Help

Shelter from Sorrow

Gift

Accept my Quiet

Culture

Understated Love

Sheltered Childhood

Interwoven Art

Carry My Roots

Wandering Girl

Traditional Dress

Making Bread

Home in the Grocery Aisles

Nourishing Meals

Hard Conversations

Faith

Tearful Prayer

Call on God

Rituals

Ramadan in Isolation

Eid in Isolation

Community

Linguistics

Generous Comfort

Dark Side of Culture

Wisp of Togetherness

Standing Here

Kept At A Distance

Deception

Shape of Pain

Pandemic

Isolation

Physically Distanced Visit

Cultivate a Community

Discrimination

Hear Me

Microaggressions

Skin Tone

Steadfast Against Injustice

Cultural Awareness

Mental Health

Speak Up

Feeling Like A Burden

Voices at Night

Invisible Pain

Let Me Be

Wallow on Anxiety

In My Head

Significant Smile

Lavender

September Grief

November Stint

Hold Myself

Intensity

Ten Seconds

Honesty

Greetings

Unpacking in Therapy

Inner Work

Forgotten Things

Boundaries

Trying to Accept Change

Naive

Past Trauma

Burdened Truth

False Religion

Mirror, Mirror

Hold Space

Heal the Past

Signs Lead to Inner Work

Moving on Now

Dear Younger Self

Conversations With My Past

Finally Healing

Feeling Self Respect Grow

Self-Love

Find Peace

Split Mind

Comfort Zone

Laughter

Hold My Heart

Self-Worth Grows

Genuine Smile

A Few Notes on Hope

Silver Thread

Joy Amidst Hardship

Empower Through Anxiety

Trusting Myself

Like A Flower

Softness

Dialogue

No More Silence

Just Say Hello

Little Existence

Part One

Self

SELF-PORTRAIT

Baby hairs tickle my face

I fidget with my scarf tassels

and give myself grace

fingers stained yellow with turmeric

my hands decorated with henna

the mess i’ll embrace

my bracelets jingle from the women before me

I watch history unravel

faith sits on my chest.

Part of Me

My anxiety is not who I am

I have the coping skills to tackle it

when my mind is clear

my heart is calm and patient

My shyness is not who I am

I may stumble

it’s a wall I put up

giving you a chance to know me

My smile may win you over

I am soft spoken and passionate

searching for contemplative conversations

My sensitivity is a part of me

showing my emotions

I’ll lend you a listening ear

nurturing our relationship

fulfills my heart.

Put My Heart First

I am an empath

your negative energy is messing with me

I am allowed to create distance and cut ties

to focus on taking care of myself

I am a people pleaser

ready to serve you

I am pulled from all directions

I forgot about myself

I shouldn’t feel guilty for saying no

and taking time to rest

I am selfless

taking in all the responsibilities

and holding all your burdens

I am allowed to put a stop to it and step away

I belittle myself

making myself feel small

so that I can’t bother you with my pain and passions

I deserve a safe space

to process