Fiza’s review of Breathing in Broken Spaces: Poems on Heartbreak, Trauma, and Self Reflection > Likes and Comments

Reading your review has been a profoundly moving experience for me- thank you so much for taking the time to share your heart and your thoughts with such depth, intelligence, and warmth.

I have read many responses to this work, but I am truly struck by how completely you understood the vision behind this collection. Your description of the book as a "lamp in the dark" for those healing is exactly the hope I held in my heart when I was writing.

I am incredibly humbled by your analysis of the "architecture of healing" and the three movements of the collection. You captured exactly why I chose to keep the language accessible yet raw, meeting readers in their most difficult chapters.

I also loved that you picked up on the "orality" of the poems; knowing that you felt how they were composed for the ear and the breath makes me feel like you truly listened to the heart of the work.

It also meant so much to me that you identified the collection as an attempt to "transmute shame into testimony" and recognized the "messy, recursive, and slow" nature of healing that I tried to honor. You hit on something so pivotal when you described my writing as building "a community out of her solitude"-that paradox that the most private utterance can become the most widely shared is exactly what I aspired to.

Beyond the feedback on my book, I want to express how much I admire your own writing. Your review reads as a piece of art itself, and it was a distinct privilege to have my work read through the lens of someone who so deeply appreciates the weight and history of the confessional tradition.

I was also so touched by your mention of your short story collection; having already read some of your work, it felt incredibly special to connect with you in this way. I will definitely be reading more of your stories, and as I am currently working on a new poetry book to be released soon, I would be absolutely honored to get your feedback on it when the time comes.

Thank you for treating my words with such care and for validating the necessity of these stories in such a beautiful way. Sharing this space of literary expression with you feels like a true honor.

Belinda wrote: "Reading your review has been a profoundly moving experience for me- thank you so much for taking the time to share your heart and your thoughts with such depth, intelligence, and warmth.

I have re..."

Dear Belinda - thank you so much for liking my 5 star review of your collection - I meant every word that I said and I am more than thrilled that you are bringing out a second collection. Do let me know when that happens and I will be one of your first readers and reviewers. It is an honor that you wish to read more of my creations - take your pick and I would truly value your honest opinion about any one of them at your leisure. But truly - you are a brilliant poet of the confessional tradition and I expect even greater things from you in the coming days and weeks and years. You are a master at this genre, which I have still a lot to learn about - as I mentioned in my review as well (but my IBDP tuition students and my IGCSE students are helping me a lot in this regard - and so I shall learn more) ; My poetry is more Romantic and Victorian related with a dash of a very emotional Rumi infulence - but I was stunned by your poems and my compositions (I feel) pale in comparison to your creations. God bless you and God be with you always! <3 :) :D <3

What a beautiful and powerful review Fiza. I love contemporary poetry done right and obviously her poetry is done right. Thank you for taking the time to write such a thorough and intriguing essay 🌿

Thank you so much for your incredibly kind and humbling response. I am truly touched by your encouragement, and it means the world to me that you would be willing to be one of the first to read my upcoming collection. The feeling is entirely mutual- I am genuinely excited to dive deeper into your work. Hearing that you lean toward Romantic and Victorian influences with a touch of Rumi sounds like a beautiful blend, and I’m honored that you feel such a connection to my own writing.
Please don't sell your own compositions short; the way you articulate the emotional landscape in your review tells me that you possess a profound artistic sensibility of your own!
Because your review was so beautifully written and resonated so deeply with me- would you be open to posting your review on Amazon? It would mean so much to have your thoughtful perspective there, and I know others would truly benefit from your insights.

Thank you for being such a wonderful fellow spirit in this poetic journey.

Belinda wrote: "Thank you so much for your incredibly kind and humbling response. I am truly touched by your encouragement, and it means the world to me that you would be willing to be one of the first to read my ..."

Oh I have already posted it there - I always do so with my reviews. I am currently awaiting its approval - it takes a while because I've been reviewing for years now. I posted it yesterday itself. When it is live, it will be visible to all. I'm eagerly looking forward to your second collection - it could not come soon enough! :) :D <3

And I hope that through my review, more GR readers TBR your book or even start reading it pronto. A well deserved 5 stars. :) :D <3

Murray wrote: "What a beautiful and powerful review Fiza. I love contemporary poetry done right and obviously her poetry is done right. Thank you for taking the time to write such a thorough and intriguing essay 🌿"

Thank you for reading my review and appreciating it Murray - it always thrills me when my reviews are appreciated - then I know that I am doing something right! But when you give your opinion on the same, it not only thrills me but makes the whole review feel special. I don't know - I get good vibes from you - you are an amzing person. I saw that you TBRed Belinda's book and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for that - she deserves all the accolades I can award her.

Her bravery knows no bounds - because suffering due to a failed relationship is probably one of the greatest reasons why many wars also start in the world - love can break hearts, people, relationships, spirits = but it takes some breaking of the heart to let the light in. That was so Fulton Sheen of me - and I actually don't like that guy anymore - I've listened to his radio shows - he creeps me out!

Do pick Belinda's book to read and then we can compare notes. Would love to do so with you - because as I stated in my review - I need to learn more about this genre. :) :D <3

Love to you and yours! <3 :) :D

You are too kind! Thank you so much for already taking the initiative to post the review on Amazon; that means a tremendous amount to me. I am truly touched by your support and your enthusiasm for my upcoming collection. I’m so grateful to have connected with you.
God bless you!