Many of my students are loving this poetry collection, and they're awed that the writer is local. All those who are digging the crop of pro-woman, confessional poems will enjoy this one. Additionally, this poet was kind enough to speak to my students about writing. She's an engaging speaker!
The text is a series of poems, reflections, and thoughts, a journey through the author's personal challenges. The ideas are presented well, and the prose flows naturally from one section to the next. Instead of coming across as a series of disjointed ideas, she keeps them intertwined to develop a narrative. The book is divided into five sections--Confronting the pain; love and relationships; sex; realizations and revelations. Some of the stories are painful to read, but the writer lets the reader know these are therapeutic for her. Occasionally the reader will need to pause and digest what has been written to ferret out the deeper meaning. The author focuses on the emotions of the various stages of her journey. She includes simple drawings that also highlight the text. The layout is nice. The work is an easy read that will provoke thought and introspection from the readers.
"Sometimes I feel so alone in this world. I don’t feel heard. I don’t feel appreciated. I don’t feel seen. I engage in selfâpity, thinking my insecurities are all that I am. But I am not alone..."
This statement rings true for so many people, myself included.
Samira Mahmoodi's To Water Her Garden: A journey of self-discovery is a collection of confessional poetry that revolves around her own journey of healing, acceptance, and personal self-discovery.
Mahmoodi's writing is raw, emotional, and takes you on a journey where you soon realize your own self-discovery. It's not only a book of Mahmoodi's own experiences, but it's also a guide for people to find their own healing and acceptance through any hardships they may be going through in their life.
I found myself reflecting and relating to a number of poems in this collection, and it left me with a sense of courage to face my own struggles and and find a sense of peace and self-love within myself. I will definitely be recommending this book!
I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Raw, compelling and emotionally charged, this literary work invites the reader along on the author's journey of self-discovery. But just as the reader thinks she is witnessing someone else's journey, she may soon discover herself between the lines and throughout the pages of this indelible collection of poetry and reflections.
Ms. Mahmoodi read several of her poems during a visit to the high school where I work. She also discussed her writing process, which was helpful, and listened to a class of Creative Writing students share their pieces. The students who read "To Water Her Garden" said that the poems were quite relatable to them.
