Fida Islaih's Blog, page 6

Hello Poetteers,

Poetry prompts are great. This weekend I wrote an experimental poem. I attempted to write a triolet. The rhyme scheme is ABaAabAB.

A (first line)
B (second line)
a (rhymes with first line)
A (repeat first line)
a (rhymes with first line)
b (rhymes with second line)
A (repeat first line)
B (repeat second line)
I didn’t think I would like the poem but I do. You may remember I don’t really like rhyme end words but I do love repetition. Rhyme end words felt forced and made the piece feel lighthearted.

I love the word choice I came up with. If I didn’t write the poem like this I don’t think I would have used some of those words. It fits well.
Honesty 
if I’m being honest I love that the sun is shining  but I felt like an antagonist being here, around you 
if I’m being honest  I feel strongest  when I’m trying to capture it in writing 
if I’m being honest  I love that the sun is shining but I can’t feel it on my face I can’t breathe  the breeze reminds me how to
if I’m being honest seeing you happy  is enough for me to feel happy. 
Can you tell what the poem is about it?

Spoiler... 
it’s about being anxious around my friends. Does anxiety make you feel like you don’t belong?

stay inspired,
Fida

Hello Poetteers,

It's Fida. One thing I want to do with this platform is cultivate a community of encouraging women poets who share the struggles and joys of writing vulnerability in their poetry. Amy and I collaborated on this post to talk about vulnerability.

1. What does vulnerability mean to you?

Fida: Vulnerability means sharing the depths of your heart. It is showing really personal thoughts, emotions and experiences.

Amy: Vulnerability is the willingness to reveal the more fragile emotions within oneself, but within the right context. In other words, it's wise to be selective in using discernment in how much you choose to reveal your vulnerability, and to whom. It's important to protect some space around your vulnerability, while at the same time be willing to share it with a certain audience.
2. How do you embrace vulnerability in life?

Fida: I embrace vulnerability by showing my emotions and weaknesses and not being afraid of it. It's also being honest with your thoughts and not afraid of mistakes and failures.

Amy: By giving myself permission to feel, even though it's not always comfortable.

3. What makes a poem vulnerable?

Fida: Personal stories and emotions are what makes a poem a vulnerable piece.

Amy: Honesty; letting raw emotions come through without filtering them through cliché.

4. Do you feel you are vulnerable in your writing?

Fida: I wasn't always vulnerable in my poetry. I was vague about my stories and subtle about putting emotions into it. Recently I've embraced being vulnerable in my poetry by sharing my experiences and emotions. I share the deeper and darker stories.

Amy: Yuppers.

5. Are there topics you are hesitant to write about?

Fida: One topic I'm hesitant to write about is body image and womanhood. I grew up keeping that part hidden. I'm starting to peel back the layers, accept myself and write about it even though it's uncomfortable. The uncomfortable feeling is where I start to grow.

Amy: Yes. Politics and religion.

6. What doubts stop you from being vulnerable in life and writing poems?

Fida: I feel that people know me a certain way and it should be kept that way. I worry that I'm controversial and overstepping boundaries. I also feel it may not be my space to write about a specific topic because I may not know enough. Lastly, I worry I might hurt someone.

Amy: In life, it's about whether or not the person is trustworthy. With poetry, it's the doubt that says, "No one is going to be interested in what you have to say."

Write a poem about the topic you’re vulnerable about.
I’m learning to accept memy body is slimand is being poked atbeing told to eat moreto get more muscle and fat on meI’m trying 
My body is weakand it aches I’m drained by the pain it’s hard to hold my bodyit feels like my body can’t carry me
my shoulders are big,I try to hide my shouldersthey remind me to stand tallmy eyebrows are messy and thickbut beautiful my smile is crookedthe overbite gets in the waymy friends are happy to see me smileit’s the best part of me
I’m learning to accept meI love my body as it is.
Check out Amy's poem over on her blog.
What about you? Let's discuss it over on instagram. 
Stay inspired,Fida

Hello Poetteers, Journaling can help you with your poetry. It clears your head with brainstorming and focusing on one idea. It helps you find stories and be clear in telling the stories. You will be able to see themes that come up in what you write aboutBe intentional on what you want to focus on. You will see what parts of the story is fluff and what evokes emotions. Lastly, but most importantly it helps you open up to being vulnerable about trauma. Stay inspired,FidaFor more information like this, join my free newsletter.

Hello Poetteers,I was asked a couple questions on what to do when you start comparing yourself to others and how to feel confident in your writing.Don’t read other people's poetry when working on your poems.Write for yourself first. Write what you know. What you’re passionate about. Write consistently. Practice different styles. Know the message you want to share. Remind yourself of the compliments you’ve received on your other poems.Step away from it and read it later with fresh eyes. Edit your poems (my editing service). For more tips like this, join my free newsletter.Stay inspired,Fida

Hello Poetteers,

You don't feel inspired. You feel like you are in a slump. Here are five ways to get yourself inspired:
Take a nature walk.Travel to a different city.Read other poets’ work.Look at your own life.Curate a list of ideas and writing prompts. Stay inspired,

Fida

For more tips like this, join my free newsletter.

Hello Poetteers,

Having titles on your poems can help you stay organized. I already talked about keeping track of your poems using excel.

It can also help you have a checklist for your editing notes and number how you want to organize the flow of your poetry book.

I write down all the poems’ titles and number it in what order I want them in. In a second column I write my editing notes for each piece. I highlight the ones that have a bigger task. As I go through each piece I mark it done. It helps me move around the poems without feeling overwhelmed. It also helps me see how long I want each section to be.

How do you keep your poetry edits organized?

Stay inspired,

Fida

Work with me on your poetry edits with the title your poems guide or my editing service.

Hello Poetteers,While writing or editing a poem there are specific questions you should ask yourself. Struggling with POVWho are you writing about?Who are you writing this for?Struggling with Verb Tenses
When did the specific situation happen?Struggling with the story
What was happening?What caused it to happen?What did your surroundings look like?What were you feeling about the specific situation?What message do you want to emphasize?Lastly: Read the poem aloud. I always tell you to ask your poem “what” but you should also ask your poem “why”. You can see this play out in depth when you work with me.

Are you struggling with your poetry? I have spots open for editing clients. Message me to get started.

Stay inspired,

Fida

Hello Poetteers,Brought to LifeDriving by a beautiful sight
seeing the dead trees covered in snow
they wait to be brought back to life
I listen to prayers and praise of God
my heart yearns for Him.

Behind the Poem
I would share here what inspired the poem but I write about the inspiration in the poem. I was with my mom after a bookstore date. We chose to drive down a scenic route. I was specifically listening to a recitation of the prayers of the last prophet. We talked about how beautiful and calming both the view and recitation was. I can tell you how I felt. I was moved to tears. Has something moved you to tears?
Stay inspired,

Fida

As I was working on this collection there was a lot of self doubt. I worry that I may be wrong or that I’m not worthy of sharing such pieces. I worry about being controversial and over stepping boundaries.

I love all your guesses:

Growing Soul
Thriving Soul
Nourishing Soul
Colorful Soul

The alternative title I was thinking of was ‘Rooted Soul’. But the more I thought of it I came up with a title that better fit the collection. Roots is about building a community, home and foundation while rise is about learning and growing from that foundation.

From an identity crisis and being naive about my beliefs, this collection is about growing up in a multicultural and Muslim home, accepting my identity and understanding the depth of my faith.

That title is ‘Rising Soul’. This will most likely be the last installment of the ‘Sit With Your Heart’ series. It will be published on March 2019. You can now add the book on goodreads.

Hello Poetteers,When I first got into poetry I wrote about my cultural experiences but as I moved forward in my poetry journey I explored different themes. It feels good to come back.As I was working on this collection there was a lot of self doubt. I worry that I may be wrong or that I’m not worthy of sharing such pieces. I worry about being controversial and over stepping boundaries. I love all your guesses:Growing SoulThriving SoulNourishing SoulColorful Soul The alternative title I was thinking of was ‘Rooted Soul’. But the more I thought of it I came up with a title that better fit the collection. Roots is about building a community, home and foundation while rise is about learning and growing from that foundation. From an identity crisis and being naive about my beliefs, this collection is about growing up in a multicultural and Muslim home, accepting my identity and understanding the depth of my faith. That title is ‘Rising Soul’. This will most likely be the last installment of the ‘Sit With Your Heart’ series. You can now add the book on goodreads. P.S. This isn’t the only collection I’m publishing this year. Later in the year I will be releasing a collection about my adventures in Malaysia titled ‘Her Durian’. Also, add the book on goodreads. Stay inspired,Fida