Fida Islaih's Blog, page 4

Behind the Poetry Titles

Hello Poetteers,

I'm currently working on a 'collected poems' project. While compiling them I found some of my favorite titles and I want to break them down for you. I hope this gives you some idea of what to ask and look for in your poems when titling them.

Good Side of Sad - This piece was written after dealing with heavy grief and feeling tired of the overwhelming emotion. I was questioning my sorrow and darkness. It doesn't always have to be dark. I like to see the positive side of things.

Lost in Existence - The word existence is already in the poem and is the topic of the piece. The first stanza mentioned being disconnected and unable to pinpoint our thoughts. I asked myself what word sums up the above emotions. I came up with lost and saw the definition: "Unable to find one's way; feeling confused, insecure or in great difficulty". The word fits well.

Scrapbook of Language - This poem is about a memory I found in a scrapbook. That memory is about language. I'm familiar with multiple languages. When I think of scrapbook I think of combining several different things to make one unique thing. That's how I see myself with culture and language.

Falling Flowers - I love spring time and seeing petals float to the ground. The poem is about the growth of flowers. Put those two thoughts together and I came up with its title.

Usually I come up with the title after I write the poem. That's not the case with 'Drowned in Milk Tea". After seeing the title it triggered a childhood memory that I wanted to capture.

Scars are a Rebirth - Scars are left after we are hurt. We learn and grow from that hurt. As we learn we are revived, another word for rebirth.

Pace Your Grief - People grieve different. It make take someone a shorter or longer amount of time. I was being hard on myself about it. This piece was a reminder to myself.

Honeycomb of Kindness - Kindness is known as something sweet. When I think of something sweet honey comes to mind.

In summary: think of juxtaposition, definitions, memories and lessons learned. How do you come up with titles? Are you struggling with titling your poems? Message me for a poetry title consultation.

Stay inspired,
Fida 

Power Through POV

Hello Poetteers,

With every book I wrote I noticed I kept making the same mistakes. I would switch up the point of view in the middle of a piece. Point of view is how one observes the situation and tells the story. When editing poetry one thing to focus on is POV. Several times I've mentioned to remain consistent with the POV but haven't said why.

Try different POVs to see what best suits the poem and story. The reader could feel immersive in the story or feel distant from it. The reader's trust is important to the writer.

"Choose the right point of view: Although poems are often written in the first person, a third person might serve a persona poem that doesn’t ring authentic." (source).

I know that I sometimes don't want to be attached to a piece because I don't want to feel the emotions of the experience or am nervous about sharing my work. Maybe you wrote about a male but don't want others to know, so change it to be about a female.

POV helps carry the story. It tells the reader who the piece is about and for. You don’t want to sound preachy or hurt someone by calling them out or putting them down. Let yourself feel vulnerable. Share from your experience and perspective. Show how you feel. Again, make the reader a part of the story.

It can be easier to edit someone's else work than edit your own work. Is your poetry (book) ready to be edited? Message me to get started.

February Wrap Up

Hello Poetteers,

What I Read

I recently read 'How to Cure a Ghost' by Fariha Roisin. I gave it 5 stars. These poems are about experiences as an immigrant and Muslim. They were heartbreaking, beautiful and empowering. Some pieces made me feel seen. Many more told much needed stories that people need to know. Other reviews said it better: it packed a punch and asked me to hold my heart.

What I Wrote

I've written 6 poems this month about faith, culture, self love and friendship. Some pieces were inspired by other poems, life experiences and conversations I had.

What did you read or write this past month?

Stay inspired,
Fida 

Reading Rumi

Hello Poetteers,

I am the servant of the Quranas long as I have life.I am the dust on the path of Muhammad,the Chosen one.If anyone quotes anything except this from my sayings,I am quit of him and outraged by these words.
- Rumi
In a previous post I mentioned the erasure of Islam in Rumi's poetry. One interpreter was Coleman Barks. Barks took out Islam and replaced it with something sexual. He oversimplified it and pleased romantic expectations. It was done to satisfy his own belief of spirituality. His interpretation was meant for a quick spiritual fix and to modernize it for the West.

He rewrote Rumi's work without knowledge of Islam and the language. This also happened to other classical Persian poets like Hafez and Omar Khayyam with Edward Fitzgerald.

Here are a couple book recommendations: 
Rumi: The Masnavi, a translation by Jawid Mojaddedi
Ruba'iyat of Omar Khayyam by Ahmed Saidi

Sources: Reading Rumi - Zirrar | Rumi for the New Age Soul

Her Durian: Culture

Hello Poetteers,

Adapt to Culture
Culture of the place matters work on understanding and adapting to the social setting I wear a bright caftan in Malaysia but in America I’ll look out of place.
Cultural Traits
Malay's quiet patienceArab's loud intensityI need space to be bothtwo cultures fighting in my heartafter a month of keeping quietI feel the urge to let out the louder side of me. 
Blurb

Her Durian is about Islaih’s travels to Malaysia and her memories with family. These poems will make your mouth water with the different foods and dessert. It covers the topic of growing up in a multicultural home and experiences as a Muslim American. Signed copies of Her Durian are available. Message me if you’re interested in purchasing a copy.

stay inspired,Fida 

Her Olives Anniversary

Hello Poetteers,

It is Her Olives 6th book anniversary!

We Are Palestine
We are zataar and zaytoon,land of the almonds and apricots,figs and oranges,watermelon and cheese,tasting its sweetness,enjoying mint tea on the balcony,connected to the roots of Palestine.
I’ve created an anniversary gift that includes extra poems, prompts and a glossary. When you purchase Her Olives, this month only, message me on instagram with your receipt and I’ll send you the anniversary gift.
Stay inspired,Fida

January Wrap Up

Hello Poetteers,

What I Read

I re-read Peaches for Monsieur le Curé by Joanne Harris. It captured my attention and took me by surprise with the chaos and mystery. It’s also heartwarming.

Blue Horses by Mary Oliver: My favorite pieces are “Rumi”, “No Matter What” and “Loneliness”. I love the themes of nature and God.
She Wore Red Trainers by Na'ima B. Robert: This story is sweet and tender. It shows the obstacles one can face with family. It shows the importance of faith and family. My only issue is that the ending felt a bit rushed.
What I Wrote

8 poems about anxiety, living in a small town, being muslim and culture.
What did you do in Jan?
stay inspired,Fida

Anticipated Poetry Reads of 2020

Hello Poetteers,

Happy new year! I'm looking forward to more poetry from my favorite authors.

January
All Along You Were Blooming by Morgan Harper NicholsPoems for the Moon: Vol 2 by J.R. RogueFebruary
Sincerely, by F.S. Yousaf Cast Away by Naomi Shihab NyeMarch
Break Your Glass Slippers by Amanda LovelaceJune
When the Stars Wrote Back by Trista MateerI'll Be Your Manic Anxiety Queen by J.R. RogueOctoberSorry I Haven’t Texted You Back by Alicia Cook
What books are you looking forward to reading? 
Stay inspired,Fida

Poetry Prompt: Prayer

Hello Poetteers,

Word Prompt
Prayer

Questions
How do you pray and how does it feel?When and where do you pray?Does prayer help you and how?Has there been an unusual place you have prayed?How was that experience of praying in an unusual place?Sentence Starters
I pray forPrayer isMy heart
The prompt is from my book, Journey to Healing.
Stay inspired,Fida

Forgive and Heal

Hello Poetteers,
Pick yourself up
Learn to forgive yourself
for being hard on yourself
learn to take it easy
and give yourself grace.

Allow yourself time to heal.
With healing comes strength.
No one else can heal you.

For more self love poetry check out my book, Blossoming Heart.
Stay inspired,Fida