Wilting Mind

by Fida Islaih

“…sometimes we don’t need poetrybut need simple words to touch our hearts.Sometimes warriors are not in armor but the ones with a smile.”Taking her writing to new levels, Islaih shares her struggles with mental illness and chronic pain. This collection is her emotional journey through grief and the need to escape. Her writing takes us through the darkness of almost losing a loved one to actually losing a loved one, then ends with uplifting pieces of self-love.

Genres: Poetry

176 pages, Paperback

Published April 8, 2018

About the author

Fida Islaih is a self published poet and freelance poetry editor. Islaih writes about mental health and cultural experiences. She helps other poets polish their poetry books for self publishing. Aside from her work, she enjoys calligraphy and jigsaw puzzles.

Reviews

[Leila Tualla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am always curious how people live their faith. Maybe because I sometimes feel disconnected to it, and sometimes I feel so deep within His presence that this yingyang is something I hope others experience...because, who wants to be the only one to have such extremes of devotion?
This collection felt like poet Fida Islaih was writing mostly to herself; a journal, if you will, of her grief, her emotions and her assurances that her faith will get her through. This was very personal and from knowing a little about Fida and how guarded she is online, I am very proud of her for her bravery in writing and sharing. There were pieces here that touched me. Pieces that sounded like a friend telling you about life after death, after questions surrounding the 'what-ifs' in our lives. It read like a friend who needed to say these things outloud for both of you to come to terms with your grief, your hurts and everything in between. Well done, my friend. I hope you found healing while writing this collection.

"...Strengh is more than how many burdens you carry,
it is how you carry them."

​***I received a copy in exchange for an honest review. I am not required to write a positive one. These thoughts and opinions are my own.***

[Fariha Khayyam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wilting Mind is a collection of free-verse poetry that tells about loss, anxiety and healing through faith. It's a beautiful collection, which reminded me of my friends, those lost to the world, and those lost to God' and I also lost few tears. Islaih tells her journey of healing by Faith, Friends and Family. Their support and belief can give you strength even in the darkest of times. It reminded me to cherish my time with them and never take any blessings for granted. The writing style reminded me of how one would write in a diary to feel better at expressing their thoughts on paper. At times I felt the poems didn't quite flow that well, but overall it carried the feel.

Overall: 4 out of 5

**I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review**

*You can also find this review on Fariha's Studio.*

[Maria Berg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wilting Mind is a volume of short poems separated into sections entitled: Escape, Sunflower, Heart, Anxiety, Disability and Self Love. The flurry of verse that often reads like daily devotionals or psalms, condenses to a story of loss and healing. Though the first-person poems express feelings of strong emotion, the poems stay in the abstract. The lack of concrete details and specific nouns keeps the reader at a distance. The short prose verse lacks variety and unique construction. I imagined some of the pages as diary entries. As a whole, the collection presents a message of hope through belief and the support of friends and family.

*I received a digital copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[M.F. Yasmin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the philosophy and imagery behind Fida Islaih's words, the poems were deeply personal and moving.
Painful, honest and brilliant.