The Shadow of My Ancestral Tree

This book was never intended for release. It is an amalgamation of diary entries I composed between the ages of twenty-one to twenty-four. It speaks of the experiences that many young women go through. A collection of poetry about life: Generational trauma, grief, heartbreak, politics, family, hope, feminism, race, diaspora and love. The Shadow of my Ancestral Tree is the reason why I am alive. My blood, tears and sweat lace every word written within. This book is about breaking generational trauma and paying homage to those who broke their backs planting trees, so that we would feel their shade. This book is about change, making our story about hope rather than sorrow. This is a book for the voiceless. I have a story to tell. The Shadow of My Ancestral Tree speaks of many young women's experiences, particularly the children of immigrant parents. It is a collection of poetry about life, which explores themes such as trauma, grief, heartbreak, politics, family, hope, feminism and race. Offering both an introspective and outward-looking perspective on these themes, this collection goes beyond the personal musings of the individual and highlights social issues affecting the collective. These poems encourage change, turning stories of sorrow into stories of hope. The Shadow of My Ancestral Tree is a collection created to bring comfort and companionship to the voiceless whilst paying homage to those who broke their backs planting trees so the next generation could feel their shade.