The Poetteer

Hello Poetteers, It's Fida. One thing I want to do with this platform is cultivate a community of encouraging women poets who share the struggles and joys of writing vulnerability in their poetry. Amy and I collaborated on this post to talk about vulnerability. 1. What does vulnerability mean to you? Fida : Vulnerability means sharing the depths of your heart. It is showing really personal thoughts, emotions and experiences. Amy : Vulnerability is the willingness to reveal the more fragile emotions within oneself, but within the right context. In other words, it's wise to be selective in using discernment in how much you choose to reveal your vulnerability, and to whom. It's important to protect some space around your vulnerability, while at the same time be willing to share it with a certain audience. 2. How do you embrace vulnerability in life? Fida : I embrace vulnerability by showing my emotions and weaknesses and not being afraid of it. It's also be...

Hello Poetteers, Today's poem is about determination. Enjoy! Determination is the drive through obstacles to accomplish our goals and reach our dreams Our dreams are known, when we've spent time with ourselves, the truth is what we need We learn our needs are kept alive by determination and we let it lead us through life. by Fida islaih and Sahira Javaid Check out Sahira's latest poetry book , Crack of Dawn.  Stay inspired, Fida

Hello Poetteers,  I hope you enjoy today's poem.  Dancing For Joy Dancing with my friends, I discover my body: I'm twirling under the lights, electricity fuelled limbs I watch their hips sway arms pumping the air - following along I am not as smooth, but my smile fills the room, hits the roof, bounces off the ceiling I was afraid of showing skin my body always aches to feel whole but I don’t feel it tonight it’s all about seeing the joy in our eyes: When I dance I am transcendent, And in my laughter, I find self-love. By Fida Islaih and Isabelle Kenyon Isabelle has a poetry book published called 'This is not a Spectacle'. Stay inspired, Fida 

Hello Poetteers, This poem was inspired after listening to Pink's "What About Us?" Enjoy! I gave you a chance I gave you my love, my trust but you said so many things so many things that turned out to be lies I'm not taking it anymore I'm ready to face this world without you and I'm okay with that I have all the power in my heart to change it all I don't have to be afraid. By Fida Islaih and Jennifer Rapp Check out Jen's debut poetry book, Ink Stained Hands . Stay inspired, Fida

Hello Poetteers, I feel like I've been slacking on the blog and decided on a project to bring the blog back to life. A little while ago I got to collaborate with Luna on a poem. Enjoy! Stars All bruised up I look up at the stars the sky is the same color purple and black I don't let the bruise bring me down the way the purple gives into the night, making one feel closer with the stars and the universe I am a star among stars. By Fida Islaih and Luna Margo Valentine You can find Luna sharing original pieces of soft girl poetry over on twitter . Stay inspired, Fida

Hello Poetteers, After a #PoetteerChat about food and poetry, I had the pleasure to collaborate on a poem with Charlotte Hamrick . The Well Worked Globe Bread is a part of every meal and Monday mornings were for bread-making. My five-year-old self would sit at the big, worn kitchen table and watch Grandma's hands as they expertly kneaded and rolled the dough, grabbing the edge, folding it to the center, then pushing it down with the heels of her palms, gradually turning the pale round disc until all edges met in the middle, over and over, her fingers flexing, arms relentlessly churning like waves on a shore. I'd watch as she chatted and sometimes sang, a merry-go-round of domesticity, a goddess of the kitchen, until time to rest the well-worked globe in a bowl in the corner. Later, the whole house was filled with the smell of freshly baked bread we sat around the dining room table I tore off a piece of pita to dip in hummus as we waited for ...

Hello Poetteers,  This past week I've been working on a collaborative piece. Here is the result of that collaboration.  Flickering Light Pain is my light getting tired with the anticipation a heaviness settles into my heart Pain is the loss of never seeing the good again you feel helpless like getting the news of death and not knowing what to say to yourself or others you don’t want to hear anything you stare into nothingness and wonder if it will get better accepting the pain, you can move forward from deep sorrow to the process of healing, healing is the reversal of a decomposed heart a radiant light replacing the darkness within a soothing ointment to one’s soul it gives hope to endure the circumstances, strength for the journey, courage to be bold, to comfort others who are afflicted but most all to know you are not alone. by Fida Islaih & Rebeca Perez Check out more poetry by Rebeca at Blend My Love .

Hello Poetteers, Show Me You want me to love you show me you are listening show me you can hear my heart and understand the meaning of its beats.  I will love you with everything inside of me if your ears believe my native tongue.  Fida Islaih and Vivi Dale