Review: Wild Embers: Poems of rebellion, fire and beauty | Nikita Gill

This review contains spoilers.

“Your body is not a first aid kit for broken people and damaged souls and hearts that are too tired to fix themselves.” 

Published: 2017, by Trapeze.
Pages: 147
Format: Paperback
Genre: Poetry, Feminism, Nonfiction
Contains: Death, Mental Health, Mental Illness, Abuse

‘Wild Embers’ is a poetry collection that explores self-worth and empowerment, inspiring readers to heal themselves for themselves. Split into seven sections, each defined by an untitled poem on that subject matter, Gill’s poetry aims to explore personal growth in a beautifully feminine way.

I’ve never read anything of Gill’s work prior to this, but I’ve heard so much about her empowering poetry. After reading and loving Amanda Lovelace’s work so much, I felt as if it was time to introduce myself to someone new… and what an introduction it was.

Each poem in this anthology is an incredible experience. The subject matters and metaphors thrust you into reality, discovering things about the life you live that you’ve never even questioned before. As someone who relates to a fair amount of themes within this collection, it was incredible to read of Gill’s journey of discovering her own self-worth. It made it seem like it was possible for myself; the words are that empowering. For such short poems, each word on the page means something, each having its own purpose to inspire readers of their own capability.

The sections are untitled, however, it was fairly easy to comprehend the themes each section would include, many exploring the idea of personal growth, feminism and overcoming trauma. However, each poem was unique, there being none along similar lines or being a little repetitive. Although, I read this anthology in one sitting and under an hour, it was a book I found myself easily invested in.

Some of my personal favourites include;

• Your Heart is not a Hospital
• A Conversation with my Mental Illness
• The Art of Unmissing
• Graveyards and Gardens
• Son
• Questions to Ask Yourself
• Time
• Haunted

Overall, I adore this little poetry collection, having been inspired by so many of the poems inside and will be returning to them again and again in time of need.

5/5