Shards: A Poetry Collection

by Fariha Khayyam

This girl,
is shattered
and broken.

Yet,
she fights back
to rise
and reform.

This is
Her journey…
Her Shards…


SHARDS is a modern-poetry collection.
It is about the journey of a girl as she struggles to come to terms with what she has endured. It is divided into four sections, where each section covers a major aspect of her journey. And how she gains the courage to stand up and give herself second chance at life and people. It explores various topics such as: solitude, abuse, racism, suicide, grief, and negativity

Genres: Poetry

59 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 12, 2017

About the author

Fariha Khayyam grew up reading about dragons, magic and adventures. She enjoys writing poetry and cuddling her cats, Her poetry has been published in We Are Not Shadows by Folkways Press and other lit-mags, and she has also self-published Shards. You can find her on farihakhayyam.com or on Twitter/X @fushiee_

Reviews

[Naima · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

Following a similar structure to Milk and Honey, this collection is divided into four sections: the shattering, the redemption, the rising and the reforming. Even though this is only the third poetry book I have read, I felt like there were a few things missing in this collection.

What makes modern poetry so popular and accessible, in my opinion, is that they’re smart and pack a certain punch that make you feel something – often in just a few sentences. I don't think that was the case with this one. I didn’t find many poems in here that I would call memorable. I felt that the book suffered due to the collection being too short. We follow the journey of a girl going through and recovering from difficult times in her life, yet, I didn’t feel emotionally invested because there were so few poems for each section, and a few of them felt repetitive.

The author focuses more on the metaphors (which I didn't find original), and experiments with structure (which I thought was done quite well) which, perhaps, might be the reason this collection wasn’t for me, however, I did find some poems in here that were great and show promise:

I’m not a privilege.
I’m not a privilege.
I’m not a privilege.
I am a right.

– Freedom

***

For you,
She might have been
a stepping stone.

But now,

You have become
her ground,

on which she will march on
with her head raised.

– Unleashed

Thank you to the author for providing me with a digital advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Angela Ambrosini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Contained with an element of surprise, reading the intimate thoughts in the newly released book, Shards, by Fariha Khayyam, the collection is comprised of utter courage and strength.

Khayyam writes in with a poetic and musical rhythm that draws you deeper and closer. Throughout the collection, the narrator walks you through her most familiar and darkest moments - caught between thoughts and reality.

“Black fades, And white darkens...” one of many favorite lines that allows a clear visual into the collection and depicts the overall bond that is made between the author and the reader. You are captured instantly by the complex layers and realize you are not walking through the journey alone.

“I’m not a privilege. I am a right…” another powerful line, creating goose bumps, and a profound realization to the reality we live in. The entire collection is compacted with beautifully crafted, metaphorical phrases that stay with you even after you read it. It allows you to take a deeper look into your own thoughts and life and find closure and courage where you need it most.

I look forward to reading more work by Khayyam!

[Louise Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shards is a beautiful book. It’s both hopeful and painful at the same time, covering such deep topics as abuse, suicide and building yourself back up after trauma. It’s always difficult to be objective when reading poetry that taps in to such personal experiences, but for me it’s an incredible thing to be able to get insight in to another’s experience, whilst also being able to relate at times. Personally, it spoke to me.

Modern poetry often gets, unfairly and unjustifiably, a bad reputation. But Shards is proof that the style is meant to portray something deeper than critics assume. It’s raw, it’s heartbreaking and it’s uplifting all at once.

[Jim Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, do not let my star count override your judgement of content. More on the stars, counting, and my rating challenges later.
Khayyam uses capitals (unlike e.e.cummings) but like that author, does not title her poems. So all references here are to first lines.
Her Loyalty sets you up in the very first piece. Is loyalty a trap?
I wake up every night includes this: “to hear my demons scream.” This is not for the faint of heart.
Spoiler alert: this is the entire short poem Within the cage of life: “Within the cage of life, /One feels safety. /While, /Other feels trapped. //─ What is Life?”
For a fine experience, turn to Thunder rolls off far away. To tease you, here’s part of this poem: “The door creaks /and I run towards it. /But it was the wind /trying to enter.” That looks like a giveaway, but the poem has a surprise gut-punch ending.
Frustration in love and life is reconciled in In a burning landscape. This is a sad poem. Buy the book and turn to this one after you’ve ‘got’ Khayyam’s voice.
Conversely, in Look into my eyes, there is reconciliation in the present.
Another spoiler alert: here is the entire short poem I run: “I run /I flee /I’m an escapist //─ Will you run with me?” Khayyam makes the personal appear so simply.
Finally, the last poem, She knew she was alone, has a very nice reconciliation in its final question.
Now for my star count boiler plate. My personal guidelines, when doing any review, are as follows: five stars means, roughly equal to best in genre. Rarely given. Four stars means, extremely good. Three stars means, definitely recommendable. I am a tough reviewer. I try hard to be consistent. I think from the above you can understand why four stars feels right to me. Your personal rating may well be higher.

[Fida Islaih · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found myself bookmarking several pieces. Most of the poems are short and simple. Yet the are powerful. I felt the pieces and saw myself in some of them. I love the imagery and encouragement in them.