Review: the Inheritance of Grief by Nishi Patel

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/

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~ 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

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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