Mending in the Milky Way: The Second Edition

by Aimy Madayag

I am here, I am alive and growing - a Delphinium undergoing photosynthesis, needing both sun and rain to thrive. 

After publishing her debut collection of poetry and prose last 2021 containing 40 works reflecting on themes of youth, growth and self-discovery as a teenager, this second edition of Mending In The Milky Way includes a brand-new section with 15 additional works.

As this collection remains to be a love letter to not only those growing up but also growing through life's challenges, the additional section-Kaleidoscopic-showcases how complex life can be, and how the seemingly complicated colors that make up our lives can still be beautiful.

This is Mending In The Milky Way. Beyond a collection of poetry and prose, it is a collection of stories of healing, memories and nostalgia.

Paperback

Published September 1, 2023

About the author

Aimy Madayag considers herself as a work in progress, a creative mess, and a “certified daydreamer."

An avid writer and literature enthusiast since she was a child, you can often find her searching for her next read or incorporating an abundance of metaphors into her poetry.

She also loves any and all forms of art—from photography and film, to visual arts and music—and hopes to grow and better her skills in these.

Though passionate about many causes, her primary advocacy since she was 13 has been mental health awareness. She strives to inspire others to be kinder to themselves and to those around them, and to educate more individuals about the importance of mental health. Through her written works, she hopes that others can find comfort and light in the middle of darkness.

Reviews

[MGV Reamico · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Growing up scares me." This line from the first part of the book already struck me and made me smile. I told myself, "This book was meant to find me." Mending in the Milky Way is like a companion, making you feel heard and accompanied. It felt like it was speaking to me throughout my reading. Aimy reminds me that we are humans and our struggles are valid, evoking a sense of nostalgia. I appreciated how the ideas were creatively and beautifully expressed. The use of metaphors adds depth to the overall meaning. This book was truly written as a reflection of raw emotions that, I believe, we can all relate to.

[Odyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aimy's generation is known for having grown up as digital natives. Meeting the author and learning about her creative process was a delight for me, a way to discover that creating is still an integral part of her life. I enjoyed going through each piece, from one poem to an essay, with her personal experiences described with such honesty and flow. I highly recommend this book to teenagers and adults who are looking to connect with pieces about loss, heartbreak, having a wandering soul, and trying to make sense of what life is truly about.

[Aubrey Gabrielle Aguirre · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You are deserving of being treated as an unsent postcard:
A keepsake, an item to look upon fondly,
A small treasure to protect
Nestled away in a storage room.”

In Aimy’s book “Mending In The Milky Way,” she writes about her experiences in her childhood and teenage years; which she often showcases in marvellous metaphors. As I was reading her work, the words on paper felt much like staring at myself in the mirror. I saw myself in these pages; emotions and thoughts I’ve had, questions I’ve asked. There are many “this is so me” moments in this book which make you realize that even though this whole world is enormous; with galaxies yet to be discovered and all, that there is someone out there who has been in a similar situation as you. Who’ve had these same thoughts, emotions, and questions. No matter how lonely you may feel in what you’re going through. “Mending In The Milky Way” is an inspiration, especially to the younger generation, to embrace the difficulty of growing up.

[Shanti Gleason · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fantastic depiction of the challenges of my generation. It describes in almost whimsical detail the trials and tribulations of teens and the added works in the new edition venture into the changes of young adulthood. Aimy puts into words what a lot of people spend their whole life trying to figure out, and it truly makes you feel like you’re not alone in your problems. There is a sort of comfort in being able to read something that describes what you’re feeling and knowing that somewhere at some point in time there’s another person that feels the exact same way and that’s the beauty of Aimy’s writing, it’s full of very real emotions in the form of powerful and immersive language. I would highly recommend this book to anyone needing comfort, going through change, or just needing a hug. This book is truly a work of art!

[Ruth Villalon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mending in the Milky Way by Aimy is such a very interesting read. As I indulge myself in her poetry book, the words within it, the emotions and feelings she poured in it, her life experiences, and the piece of soul she imparted within it were all heavily felt. Moreover, the pieces she's written were something very relatable, I especially like the personal essays she's written about the kind of person she's trying to become as she navigate herself down the rocky waters of teenage years that is about to set foot in adulthood. I don't often read poetry books, but this was a truly fun and interesting read. I highly recommend it to people, especially with people around her age.

[Harold · Rating 5 out of 5]

poems n essays dealing with struggles of growing up ! ++delicious imagery 8d

[Sef · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw that this book was one of the most recommended books from 8letters.. good read!

[Marietta Ganapin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written honestly and from the heart. Highly recommended.

[Mitchie Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first glance at the title page, one would think of cosmic and extraterrestrial elements, probably galaxies, celestial bodies, stars and the planets. My first thought, keeping in mind possible galactical descriptions embedded in poetry, was of existentialism. But upon reading this poetry collection, the reader can easily deduce that these pieces were more than about the nature of existence, but the author’s colorful point of view in life.
The book is divided into three sections: monochrome, multicolored and kaleidoscope. Personally, I interpreted this as the author’s gained experiences, shedding more light and color. A blank canvass eventually having lines and structure (monochrome), then splashes of colors from her meaningful experiences, until even more perspectives were added, eventually turning to a kaleidoscopic beauty that life is.
One of the pieces that stuck to me was “Mediocre” from the monochrome section, wherein the author likened words into silky threads, eventually “fashioning a dress”. In many of my previous poems, I have described writing as sewing words into a tapestry. A tapestry is quite different from a dress, and in this book’s case, a dress is more appropriate. The poems she made were fabrics she has woven, and the whole book, her own gown.
As I finished her book, I imagine the author wearing an immaculate gown made of galaxies, stars and meteors. A gassy clothing that is somehow translucent—reflecting her own shining colorful personalities: sometimes, burning like a sun, sometimes cold like a spacious black void of a blackhole, or twinkling and meaningful like a North Star. Regardless, it is a gown made of kaleidoscopic meaning and depth.

[Leigh Yamazakura · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful representation of a small but essential part of the human experience, told in beautiful prose and intricate detail. "Mending in the Milky Way" is a very definite experience of growing up, all the intimate and sullen parts of it. Every piece conveys a very specific idea of childhood, of adolescence, of the grief of growing up and everything associated with it. Love and heartbreak; rest and stress; joy and sorrow. There are times where one can read the most motivational of words after chapters of declaration of grief, as if it is to convince us as much as to convince them. It's beautiful, in that sense, that the experiences of the author is itself universal. There's comfort in that, we are all stars wounded in the passage of time, mending in the milky way.

[Patrick Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

Initially, I had anticipated that the book would focus on celestial bodies such as constellations, the Milky Way, stars, the sun, moons, and planets. However, as I read into its pages and absorbed every line, it profoundly connected with my innermost self as a human being. The book explores into various aspects of life, touching on the fundamental struggles of adolescence, professional life, and adulthood. The author skillfully employed powerful and meaningful symbolism throughout the book, evoking a range of authentic emotions. Aimy, thank you, and congratulations. I eagerly await the opportunity to immerse myself in more of your heartfelt masterpieces in the future.

[Shane Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adolescence holds some of the most daunting, challenging, and overwhelming experiences a person can hold in their lifetime. As someone undergoing this stage of life, I can recommend this collection of prose and poetry for people in my age range. Though there’s a very personal aspect to the pieces, it is relatable as people can put themselves easily in the shoes of the author. One can realize that there is something truly universal of the process of self-discovery and embracing one’s human nature in their teenage years.

[Josue Mapagdalita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am already 27 years old, and “Mending the Milky Way” reminds me of my adolescence—the days when there’s a lot of internal turmoil, self-discovery, and societal pressures. The imagery used are on point and bring so much soul to the poetry.

Much like a plant undergoing photosynthesis to become another’s food, this book will feed the minds of teenagers who are experiencing adversities unique to their age range. A heartfelt read!

[Tiffany Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I seldom read poetry books because I enjoy watching/listening to written pieces executed on stage. When I picked this up, I thought it'd be about celestial bodies just because of the title. Still, as I dug deeper, it tackled the intricacies of growing up and how the world seems to conspire against humanity. It's like a love-hate letter of the author to their younger or maybe future self, how they want to remember and be remembered. I enjoyed every part of it! An easy five-star read <3

[Katrine Madayag · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"I once heard someone say the greatest thing you can give yourself is time.
Others say it's forgiveness.
Even more argue that it's happiness,"
I say it's patience."
- Mending and Molding

Mending the Milky Way is not a compilation of essays and poems. It's a heartfelt narrative of an adolescent navigating through growing pains and processing emotions in life. It spoke to my younger self and reminded me of how we are all, a work in progress. Highly recommended!