To Bleed and Bloom

by Ashleigh Ascoli, Seneca Basoalto (Editor), Victoria Rusyn (Illustrator)

To Bleed and Bloom is a raw and visceral collection of poetry and prose inspired by the journey of womanhood. Divided into three sections, To Bleed, To Bruise and To Bloom, this collection explores themes of grief, loss, fertility, trauma, body image and healing.
Content themes of sexual and gender-based violence, pregnancy loss and body image.

Genres: Poetry

Paperback

Published April 25, 2022

Reviews

[Randina Sheldon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashleigh is one of my absolute favorite poets. She doesn’t give herself nearly enough credit for how truly revolutionary her work is. She makes language bend to her will and every word is purposeful and powerfully placed.
The organization and flow of the work through the chapters is perfection and unravels a story of bleeding and blooming through it all.
Each piece is so honest and accepting of the emotions felt at the time and allows others the space to acknowledge their feelings too. She speaks on so many important women’s issues that really couldn’t be addressed any better.
Every woman should read this collection and I really couldn’t recommend this book enough. It’s a book I’ll come back to time and time again.

[Leeza Jayde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashleigh Ascoli's 'To Bleed and to Bloom' is one of the most moving poetry books I've ever read. I sat down to only read a few pages, and I read it from cover to cover, and then turned back to the first page to start again. This book is full to the brim of beautifully woven imagery used to explore the raw reality of what it means to be a woman that so many poets don't discuss. I found it incredibly refreshing to explore issues so important to women. Ashleigh also delves into heartache and tragedy, mental health and love and loss. The line art illustrations complement the prose wonderfully and add a gorgeous aesthetic too. Overall, a fantastic poetry book. It's a solid five stars from me.

[Danielle Fowler Rietzke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a stunning collection of poetry. Ashleigh writes about the grief and pain and growth and beauty of being a woman with such meticulously chosen words that even the most heartbreaking topics are presented absolutely beautifully. Whether you have experienced similar losses in your life or not, you will undoubtedly be able to identify with the profound feelings she explores. I cannot recommend this book and this poet enough!

[Celine Walde · Rating 5 out of 5]

i started crying after finishing this collection. such a beautiful book with the most beautiful, healing, reflective, honest and vulnerable pieces. the illustrations were also super stunning. a work of art i’m so happy i read. i can’t wait to read this over and over again. breathtaking!

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

“If a girl breaks and no one is around to hear it does she still make a noise?”

[Amanda Harman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raw, honest, and beautiful words about the normally hidden and unmentionable side of womanhood and motherhood. Delicate illustrations sit side by side powerful words to create the whole picture.