Leila Tualla: Mama, Author, & Advocate
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            News & Bookshelf

Review: the Inheritance of Grief by Nishi Patel

8/28/2022

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The Inheritance of Grief is a free-verse poetry collection about an introspective journey of losing a parent, the courage of coping, and the path towards healing from the multitude of sorrow that unfolds after a loss.

Speaking to themes of cancer, anger, depression, anxiety, loss, identity, and self-love, Nishi Patel’s poems bring intense emotions out in the open to break down the stigma of grief. This book is for anyone to empower self-compassion, clarity, and connection with oneself and our community.


"I came out from the other side through
a light that could not have been found
had it not been so fearfully dark inside"

Amazon book link:

https://www.amazon.com/Inheritance-Grief-Poetry-Prose/dp/B0B4WRPXS5/

~ Review ~

In so many ways, I do not know grief. While there are aspects of grief that I understand; I get the anger. I get the denial.  The slow acceptance and realization of memories in "the after" that will undeniably spotlight the absence, the what-ifs and if only.
This whole collection was beautiful. Some aspects of grief I cannot give words to as I just don't have the understanding of it. 
This collection opens with grieving. I was met with the rawness of what the poet felt in the moments after. The grief that certain people are privy to, Patel wrote them in melodic terms. The rest of the world, I imagine, saw her strength. Saw her holding back.
I saw anger. I saw acceptance. Pain. I had to read this in spurts. Some poems I had to digest to truly understand the waves of emotions of a grief I knew not of. Some were painful I had to take a step back as I'm not quite sure I was ready to understand. I am in a phase of  my life where I am questioning my own mortality and my parents. How much more time are we given? What would I do with our time?
But this isn't about me or my parents.  This is about a Patel's struggle with seeing her love one slowly succumbing to his sickness. This is her grappling with the "before" and understanding the absences of "the after."
This is her healing. This is her processing her wounds and turning them into poetry. 
And it is not linear, or pretty but this was what she was given.  
Beautiful testament of a daughter's love, her questioning, her love, and inheritance of memories.

Rating: 5/5


About the Author

​Nishi Patel is a South Asian American self-made artist. Using her emotions to fuel her semi-abstract impressionist paintings, Nishi manifests her poetry with the same raw intensity. Her debut book, The Inheritance of Grief, is inspired by her six years of journal writing after her father passed away from cancer. With more books coming in the future, she writes about mental health, life, and spirituality.
Stay connected with Nishi through Instagram @by.nishi.patel
website: www.bynishipatel.com
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Poetry News: the Sacred Feminine Vol II

6/6/2022

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2 of my poems: "I remember when," and "you'll never see me smile," in this wonderful collection!
I remember when
"I remember 31 weeks, 4 days gestation.
I remember when my body was a home and I was a safe place to be. 
I remember 3 pounds, 4 ounces. 
I remember holding back a scream and keeping my face neutral. 
I remember Spring; how the flowers started to grow outside my window sill, but I only noticed the weeds and thorns.
I remember days were for cooing and updates, and nights were for bargaining to a god I wasn’t sure I believed in anymore. 
I remember how my heart beat would match hers; the machines echoing our smiles and soft touches.
I remember Easter spent huddled in the hallway, holding my breath.
I remember when my body was a home and I was a safe place to be until home was no longer safe for her."

You'll never see me smile
"I take her name into mine. I forge her secret
into my hands and weep for all the burdens
women must carry, without complaint,
always with a smile."



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The definition of a poetess is, simply put, a female poet. But I promise you, we are so much more! With every drop of our ink, we channel Calliope, Melpomene, and Erato, the very muses that so inspire us. To be part of the Sacred Feminine is to celebrate the goddess within all women.

The Sacred Feminine Volume II: An Open Skies Collection is a unique collection of poetry that celebrates women authors everywhere. Inside these pages, you’ll find an unprecedented convergence of unparalleled writings from female authors around the world. Each and every poetess displaying her own transcendently beautiful and one-of-a-kind style.
See link below:
https://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Feminine-II-Skies-Collection/dp/B09ZFLXJDC/

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    Book Pick:


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     I use Goodread's rating scale

    1 star – didn’t like it
     2 stars – it was OK
     3 stars – liked it
     4 stars – really liked it
     5 stars – it was so amazing, it's on my reread pile!

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Hi there! Here's a quick bio

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Leila Tualla is a Filipino-American poet and author based in Houston, Tx. Leila’s books include a YA contemporary romance called Letters to Lenora and a memoir/poetry collection called Storm of Hope: God, Preeclampsia, Depression and me. Her poetry is featured in several mental health anthologies and she is currently working on a poetry collection based on Asian American stereotypes and identifies. Her chapbook “pmdd & me,” will be out this Spring 2022. ​

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  • HOME
  • about me
  • Blog
  • News & bookshelf
    • Media
    • Books >
      • Letters to Lenora
      • Love, Defined
    • Poetry >
      • PMDD & me (poetry chapbook)
      • Storm of Hope
    • Anthologies >
      • The Sacred Feminine II
      • The Poetry Marathon 2021
      • Remnants of Home
      • Poetica II
  • ADVOCACY
    • RESOURCES for PMDD warriors >
      • IAPMD
    • Community resources for moms >
      • Pregnancy and Postpartum Support
      • 2020 Mom
      • Preeclampsia
      • Momma's Voices
      • Shades of Blue Project
  • Contact