Walsall author and poet Sara Meredith has faced some of the darkest times, losing first her 9 year old daughter then her 7 year old son, grief is the forefront of her new collection. Sara shares how love and pain can coexist. How to be grateful for the blessing even when the pain holds your heart.
Sara believes that poetry has literally saved her life. Giving her space to own and understand her feelings. Sara tells us “ for a long time I couldn’t verbalise the pain I was feeling, yet writing poetry allowed me to release all the emotions that were eating me up inside. I believe that poetry and writing can be therapy for anyone. I didn’t start writing these poems to share for me they were just a release, yet now I hope they connect with others and hopefully makes at least one person feel less alone. Poetry as therapy is a passion of mind and with a degree and experience in therapeutic care I hope one day to be able to facilitate workshops where others can come together to allow their words free their soul.”
Sara has also been attending workshops with the 1in3 Project (It`s Our Right) funded by Arts Council England to empower survivors of gender based violence. It was these workshops that has encouraged Sara to collate her poems into her first poetry book “I am the storm”
“Diyodi and his family gave me the opportunity to understand more about myself and the ending of a 28 year old marriage. It gave me space to unpick the untruths that I had allowed to be spoken over me. They and the incredible women on the workshops allowed me to understand that I can control my own destiny. It’s been hard work but so worth the journey. It’s because I owe a lot to Diyodi that I wanted him to be one of the first to read I am the storm and I’m extremely proud of the review he gave me. "
Book Review: "I Am the Storm" by Sara Meredith
"I Am the Storm" is a deeply moving collection of poems that takes readers on an emotional journey through grief, love, loss, and resilience. Written by Sara Meredith, this book delves into raw and often heart-wrenching experiences, sharing the author's personal battles with profound sorrow, complex grief, and her eventual path to healing.
The poems are intensely personal, offering readers a glimpse into the author's soul as she navigates through the devastation of losing loved ones, particularly her children. Meredith’s writing is fearless, often unflinchingly confronting the darker aspects of life, such as mental health struggles, trauma, and the deep emotional wounds that accompany grief. Yet, amidst the sorrow, there is also a sense of hope, determination, and self-discovery as she learns to embrace her identity and strength.
What sets this collection apart is its authenticity. Each poem feels like a piece of Meredith's heart, stitched together with raw emotion and unfiltered thoughts. The simplicity of the language enhances the intensity of the feelings conveyed, making the book accessible and relatable to anyone who has experienced profound loss or the complexities of mental health.
The recurring themes of strength, empowerment, and the struggle for self-acceptance are woven throughout, making this not just a book about grief, but about finding one’s voice in the storm. The author’s reflections on love, resilience, and the power of human connection add depth to the collection, transforming it into a beacon of hope for those who may be navigating their own storms.
Overall, "I Am the Storm" is a powerful and cathartic read, offering solace and understanding to those who have felt overwhelmed by life’s challenges. Meredith's honesty and vulnerability make this collection a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the beauty that can emerge from even the darkest of places.
This book is highly recommended for readers who appreciate poetry that speaks directly to the heart, especially those seeking comfort and empowerment through shared experiences of grief and healing.
- Diyodi
Sara’s book is available at Amazon and you can often catch her sharing her poetry at local spoken word evenings.
