She Wears Pain Like Diamonds: Poems

by Alfa Holden

From the best-selling author of I Find You in the Darkness

She's been through more hell than you'll ever know.
But that's what gives her beauty an edge.
You can't touch a woman who can wear pain
like the grandest of diamonds around her neck.
--Alfa

She Wears Pain Like Diamonds is a book of poetry about finding beauty in a buried past and
unearthing the treasures of strength and resilience.

Genres: Poetry

192 pages, Paperback

First published May 5, 2020

About the author

Alfa is a writer of poetic thoughts. She holds degrees in English Literature as well as Radiologic Sciences.

From a wide-planked porch in Kentucky, Alfa is most likely indulging in ice tea while painting a furniture piece some fabulous shade of turquoise, or crafting something extraordinary out of vintage buttons and brooches.

Reviews

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

I took this for review...

I want to give this one star because it's not poetry; these are not poems. They don't scan, have no rhythm, structure or subtext. There's nothing poetic about them. They're affirmations and words of solace and encouragement printed to resemble poetry but they're no more poetry than my review. There have to be standards. Poetry leaves a lot of latitude for style and substance but there has to be a line drawn. Anyone thinking they're reading poetry is mistaken. These are affirmations with observations printed to resemble poems...

I've read the author's bio and some reviews. Normally I don't read reviews before I write mine but I got what I needed from them and it changed my mind about the one star. Alfa is sensitive and caring and her messages are comforting, empowering, nourishing. I read so many reviews in which young people express they got that from this book. It's important. Life is hard and everyone needs comfort. Words can give hugs and kisses and Alfa's do...

My three stars are out of respect for what Alfa is doing for her readers. But please don't mistake this for actual poetry. If you haven't, sometime read some. There are so many choices including classics, Romantics, modern and they come in sonnets, free verse, odes, haiku, rap and more, Find the ones that speak to you. Poetry is beautiful. This isn't it. But I have a heart and my heart too understands pain. My heart hurts that this passes for poetry. It also recognizes and respects that Alfa is caring and tender and has given solace to so many and that means something. So three stars instead of one.

Samples:

Mind Dropping

Just because my mind
had to drop you in the past
doesn't mean my heart
won't carry you
into the future

I Believe in You

I believe in you.
In your testimony of strength
and your song
of redemption.

Housecleaning

And I know it's time
to dust again
when my feet get tangled
in the cobwebs
that have collected
around my self-love

Blazes

Her eyes are veiled and her smile
is painted on thick
You have no way of knowing
the inferno that rages inside
and how meticulously it burns
every board of every bridge she crossed
to get to today.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poetry means different things to different people. For some, the word poetry is reserved for structure and rhyme and classic form. But, for me, true poetry is just about making you feel something. And Alfa is a master of that. She weaves pain and strength beautifully, taking us into the darkness only to bring us back into the light. She doesn’t need page long stanzas because she packs power into just a few lines. If you don’t like modern poetry, you probably won’t like this book. But, if you read poetry to feel something. To feel seen and heard. To dig deeper into yourself. Then, this book is definitely for you.

[Katelyn Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely in my top three favorite poets! This wasn't my absolute favorite from this author but I still really enjoyed this so much!

[Berna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poetry is, of course, subjective, and in the end this just wasn't my cup of tea.


My personal take is I feel like I was promised pain and strength (the pain of cutting off pieces of yourself, of contorting yourself into unnatural shapes as demanded by others who cared less about you than what you could contribute to their lives; the strength of realizing that and throwing it off and moving forward), but while at times the pain did touch me, I found the strength little more than platitudes and banner-waving.

[Sophie Guichardan · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were a few poems I really loved that stuck with me but overall, I felt as though the writing style was a bit too preachy and flat for me. I found that many of the poems kind of read like a self-help coffee table book instead of poetry so that's why I wasn't too big a fan.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, mesmerizing collection that I couldn't put down just like all of her books.

[Java · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Fear is frightened by resilience.”

This has to be one of the best poetry books I have ever read!.
Alfa really ignites emotions in a way that is daunting but leaves room to excogitate so that you can transpose.The author’s copious reminders of not to disregard our feelings because each one travels through our pulse, that relationship is not ownership and taking responsibility of our own destiny and healing will ameliorate the spirit.

“We peel.We crack.We grow.”

[Chelsea Crayton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think I'm at the right point of life to fully feel the message of this book.

[olivia miss_ipkiss_reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't think these are poems..... these are more short blurbs of inspiration or observation.
I did really enjoy the first part of this collection, but parts II and III fell very flat to me.

[Haven · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5)

[Pary · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is not poetry. Believe me, I've studied literature my whole life.
Please stop wasting paper and instead make an Instagram to post your thoughts... leave literature alone.

[Bella · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I came into She Wears Pain Like Diamonds with a different expectation. From the title, the poem on the back, and dedication I was thinking this book would lean more towards what it is like to struggle with a chronic illness. While there were a couple poems that spoke about illness, the majority spoke about lost love and a broken relationship. The orders the poems were placed did not always make sense. We could go from reading about self love, to heart break, to chronic illness, back to heart break.

Had I known this book was mostly about heartbreak and a bad relationship I would have bypassed it.

This book is also not “poetry” in the classically thought of sense. It is much more “Instagram” style poetry as I like to call it. The ideas are simple and sometimes it is just a thought written down. There is no structure or concrete aspects to classify it as poetry, even free form. I went into the book expecting this and wanting that type of layout so I was not bothered by it.

[Hannah (needonemorechapter) · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn’t finish this, DNF’d at 50%. This felt like-at best-inspirational quotes, and not even good ones at that. I’m normally a huge advocate for poetry and that it can be whatever we make it, but this writing felt so disingenuous, plain and emotionless that I don’t even feel bad about my critique.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved each of the poems and found that they all have a powerful and clear message. However, personally I felt that the themes of the poems in each section were a tad inconsistent. Of course, poetry is based on interpretation so this is just my take on it.

[Lorie ♡✿ · Rating 4 out of 5]

“some days, there is no escaping fear. it grips your throat and dares you to breathe.”

“and all she wanted was the peace that she fought so valiantly for.”

“fear is frightened by resilience.”

“never give advice on a subject if you have only read about it, but never lived it.”

“she has learned the hard way to seek inspiration only from those who have gotten lost in the same darkness as herself.”

“you will learn to recognize a pain that is similar to yours when you see it in others. you will not be able to erase others' torment or ease their burdens. but you can offer a hand and a heart that has experienced it all. you can listen and give them a chance to release some of it. sometimes, knowing that someone else has felt it allows the pain to flow out instead of circling back in.”

“i am a thoroughbred with a soul that races and a heart meant for saving others.”

those are some of the lines that struck through me as it resonates to some of what i've been through. i feel like this book serves its way to be a guiding light for those who are hurting and currently in the state of healing. ❤️‍🩹✨

[Scott DuJardin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm going to start with my standard disclaimer for poetry reviews: poetry is individual - what I like and do not like is not what you do / don't like.

So. Well, I love the title - and that matches with what is - for me - the best of this book.

Most of this book is in my opinion not so much poetry as it is inspirational / motivational snippets. I'm sorry, but it is true that wisdom comes with age. I am not going to call myself wise, but the majority of these poems feel too simplistic to me - life is not that simple. But I can also see that some may have been more meaningful to a younger me, and therefore may be helpful to others.

There were a few exceptions that I liked - mostly those that describe inner pain that is not always visible on the outside ("Blazes" and "Nature's Metaphor"). They help remind me that what I see is not always the whole story. And the last line from "Counterfeiters" was meaningful for me: "I'm not saying we need to wear our painful pasts on our sleeves for all to see, but don't deny them their right to breath."

[MJ Kocsis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alfa's pen is a thing of soul touching wonder, as proven time and again in everything she writes, and "She Wears Pain Like Diamonds" is no different. I waited 5 years for this book, and let me tell you, it was worth every minute.

"Diamonds" is a journey through the soul of everyone who's ever wanted to die to escape the pain, and chose to not just survive, but thrive. A poetic tale of perseverance against all odds. You'll find yourself in tears one moment, and cheering through them the next.

A testament to the strength of the human condition, "She Wears Pain Like Diamonds" is a must read in a year determined highlight its weakness.

Do yourself a favor and read "Diamonds" today. I promise you won't regret it.

[LBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this collection of succinct prose-poetry, Alfa communicates in short verses that are easy to digest. She delivers whimsical yet inspirational messages to her readers in each poem, which you can tell derive from her authentic experience and pain. The poetry is healing for those looking to obtain meaning from heartache or hoping to be delivered from self-loathing. Her writing relies on minimalism to communicate the anguish she feels from being misunderstood. Some poems are better than others, but when they hit, they're really good. I felt that some of the poems were undeveloped and left me wanting more, while others satiated me within a couple of lines.

[Gypsy Mercer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alfa has written yet another 5 Star book of poetry! My senses of familiarity and companionship are triggered every time I pick up one of her books, and remains strong as I read "She Wears Pain Like Diamonds".

Alfa also awakens a strong sense of survival. She is a warrior who has lived to tell and write about things that sadden and darken our thoughts. We feel like we are not alone anymore, and that we have a friend.

I have numerous "favorites", and know that I will keep "She Wears Pain Like Diamonds" close. Definitely a bedside book, and friend.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 4.5 Stars

I enjoyed this book of poetry! I honestly bought it on a whim during a time when my mental health had taken a massive dip.

Some of the poems in this really called me out. I enjoyed the book and really felt that the author had put some wisdom within their words.

Maybe this is because I bought and read this during a time when I really needed some words. Most poetry works for me because it’s usually my go-to for reading slumps or when my mental health falls. Overall, a really good poetry book and I plan to read more from this author.

[Alexandra Dav · Rating 3 out of 5]

M-am simțit puțin mințită pentru că mi s-au promis poezii și am primit, cu foarte mici excepții, o colecție de gânduri mai mult sau mai puțin motivaționale.
Trecând peste, unele dintre texte mi-au plăcut mult. Fie mi-au transmis sentimente puternice, fie au formulat tare frumos niște trăiri. Cu celelalte nu am rezonat pentru că fie erau extrem de banale, întâlnite de o mie de ori înainte, fie erau ușor imature.
Oricum ar fi, mă bucur că am citit-o. A mers foarte ușor.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alfa has put print onto pages that has shaken this world. Her poetry has helped and is still helping me overcome a horrible trauma that has inflicted me for over 3 decades. I strongly recommend if u know anyone who is suffering by a bad shuffle of cards over there life, give them this book, and love one another♠️♥️♦️😇

[The Hobbyist · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I have not personally experienced the romantic heartaches depicted by the author in this book, her reflections prompted me to contemplate other forms of human suffering, such as grief, sadness, and loss. Although it may not reach the heights of historical poetry, the writing still offers a measure of comfort and understanding.

[Ida Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful book by alfa. Her poems are just amazing and the poem in the last page was just a wonderful way to close out this book of hurt healing and finding yourself again. 10/10 would reccomend.

[Carmela · Rating 4 out of 5]

The poetry really hit home for me and reminded me of my strength. Well worth the read and i will definitely be rereading this when i need to be reminded of my strength and that it is ok to feel, even when it hurts.

[Rachel-Morgan Lanouette · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm fine with not loving this book because I actually got it for my mom, not me, so I care much more if she likes it. For me personally, however, it's a bit too...I don't know, braggy, maybe? I don't know. Nothing about it grabbed me.

[Cherie Dorlac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poetically brilliant

This book must be read by everyone! It exhibits strength and power over situations when we may feel powerless. I greatly recommend this book.

[Jana Whaley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every word! It always takes me longer with poetry because I can red than set it down and come back. But I loved it!

[Rebecca Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.