my heart is heavy collection

My Heart is Heavy curates a collection of deeply moving and introspective literary works that delve into the complexities of the human experience. It is for those who seek solace in words, for those who find beauty in the raw and unvarnished truths of life. Each book within this category is a journey through the various shades of emotional depth, exploring themes such as loss, grief, love, identity, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. These works stand out for their ability to articulate the often inexpressible nuances of sorrow, longing, and introspection.

From dealing with personal loss, navigating complex relationships, to finding light in the darkest of times, each work in this category is a testament to the enduring strength and vulnerability of the human condition.

For readers who appreciate the art of transforming pain into something poignant, something that resonates with the depths of our collective experiences, these books are more than just readings; they are companions in our own journeys through life’s ups and downs, reminding us that even in our heaviest moments, there is an underlying thread of hope and a shared human connection.

My Heart is Heavy Bundle

Get three books for the price of two and save $20!

Get the Bundle Now

Individual Titles

House Within a House by Nicholas Dawson (translated by D.M. Bradford)

What makes this book compelling is its ability to articulate the indescribable feelings of depression, transforming them into a language of alternative knowledge and understanding. It’s a journey through the mind of someone struggling, yet finding ways to appreciate the simple beauty in life, like the sun piercing through curtains.

This book doesn’t just describe depression; it lets you feel, understand, and emerge with a nuanced appreciation for the complexities of the human mind.

For anyone looking to explore the depths of emotional experience or seeking a companion in their own journey, “House Within a House” is an enlightening and deeply moving read.

Get Your Copy

Dream of No One but Myself by D.M. Bradford

Dream of No One but Myself is a groundbreaking journey through the complexities of self-discovery and the reconciliation of a past filled with intergenerational trauma and domestic tenderness.

What sets this collection apart is its refusal to simplify the narrative into a linear, easily digestible story. Instead, it challenges the reader to engage with the non-linear, often uncomfortable reality of personal history and memory.

Bradford’s essayistic lyricism and its ability to fragment and then beautifully refract personal history into myriad beams of light make it a compelling read for anyone interested in the complexities of the human psyche, the power of memory, and the beauty found in the unresolved.

Get Your Copy
Dream of No One but Myself by David Bradford
Grey All Over by Andrea Actis

Grey All Over by Andrea Actis

Grey All Over offers a deeply personal and transformative journey through grief and self-discovery. Finding her father dead in her apartment sets Actis on a path through grief and self-reckoning, and academic pursuit, intertwining her personal experiences with her studies in poetics.

What makes Grey All Over compelling is its unique assemblage of diverse materials: emails about paranormal encounters, junk mail, annotated excerpts, and transcripts of dreams and conversations. This eclectic mix not only paints a vivid picture of a close and complex father-daughter relationship but also pushes the boundaries of poetry and narrative.
.

Get Your Copy

Hsin by Nanci Lee

Hsin delves into themes of identity, absence, and the quest for understanding. Lee’s background, born to a Syrian father and a Chinese mother and then given up for adoption, sets the stage for her exploration of origins through a collection of poem fragments. These poems are not just words on a page; they are a journey through form and unfolding, resonant with both timeless and contemporary tones.

What makes Hsin compelling is its ability to weave the personal with the philosophical, offering a deep dive into the nuances of identity and belonging. The book is a testament to the power of poetry to explore and express the inexpressible, making it an essential read for those who are drawn to introspective and thought-provoking literature. Lee’s work invites readers to reflect on their own experiences of identity and the universal quest for understanding our place in the world.

Get Your Copy
Hsin by Nanci Lee
Mowing by Marlene Cookshaw

Mowing by Marlene Cookshaw

Mowing offeris readers a reflective and poignant exploration of life, loss, and the intimate connection to the land. This collection is a celebration of life’s simple yet profound moments. From haying June-high grasses to cherishing the gift of new potatoes, Cookshaw’s poems are a tribute to the everyday experiences that shape our existence.

The interplay of joy and sorrow, the mundane and the significant, is masterfully presented, offering a profound understanding of the balance in our lives.

Mowing is a must-read for anyone who appreciates poetry that speaks to the heart and soul, reminding us of the beauty and depth found in the simplicity of everyday life.

Get Your Copy

Wild Madder by Brenda Leifso

Wild Madder captures the essence of being lost in the complexities of identity, relationships, and the challenges of life. It is a poignant exploration of moments of disorientation and not knowing — losing touch with oneself, struggling with roles in family and marriage, and the intense emotions that these experiences evoke.

What stands out in Wild Madder is Leifso’s raw and unflinching portrayal of pain, rage, and longing. Leifso’s work resonates deeply with anyone who has ever felt consumed by the trials of life. Her honest and direct approach to subjects like motherhood, marriage, and self-identity is both cathartic and compelling.

For those who appreciate poetry that is both brutally honest and beautifully redemptive, Wild Madder is a must-read.

Get Your Copy
Wild Madder by Brenda Leifso
Other Houses by Kate Cayley

Other Houses by Kate Cayley

Other Houses is a unique blend of the mystical and the mundane. This collection brings objects to life, imbuing them with the essence of those who have touched them, and interweaves myths and legends into the fabric of everyday existence.

The poems speak to us through a variety of voices — visionaries, mystics, artists, and even the dead, making them feel like familiar neighbors sharing their stories.

This collection invites readers to ponder profound questions, like the physicality of light and dark, while grounding them in a reality that is both familiar and otherworldly.

Get Your Copy

Auguries by Clea Roberts

Auguries beautifully captures the nuances of human experience against the backdrop of the vast Yukon landscape. This collection is particularly poignant as it was written during a significant period in Roberts’ life, marked by the dual experiences of becoming a parent and losing a parent. The poems traverse a range of emotions from prayer and surrender to celebration and reconciliation, each offering a glimpse into the complex interplay of life’s joys and sorrows.

Auguries is a powerful read for anyone who appreciates poetry that is both deeply personal and universally resonant, inviting reflection on the cycles of life and the beauty of the natural world.

Get Your Copy
Auguries by Clea Roberts

A knife so sharp its edge cannot be seen by Erin Noteboom

A knife so sharp its edge cannot be seen intricately explores themes of illness, grief, loss, and the complexities of work and love. Noteboom’s collection is a testament to the endurance and resilience of the human voice through life’s toughest challenges. The poetry delves into the interplay between sadness and knowledge, suggesting that science and love are closely intertwined.

This collection invites readers into a world where each poem is a discovery, a revelation of the hidden connections between the arts and science. For anyone seeking poetry that marries the cerebral with the emotional, this book is a compelling read.

Get Your Copy

Stomata by Genevieve Lehr

Stomata engages deeply with the themes of loss and human tragedy through the power of language. This collection is a testament to the ability of poetry to encapsulate and convey the depth of human suffering and resilience. The book confronts a range of losses, from the immediate impact of death and illness to the lasting scars of abuse and the intergenerational trauma of residential schools.

Stomata is a provocative and deeply spiritual journey, ideal for those seeking poetry that wrestles with the big questions of life and loss while celebrating the persistent energy of the human spirit.

Get Your Copy
Stomata by Genevieve Lehr
Selah by Nora Gould

Selah by Nora Gould

The heart of Selah lies in its exploration of living with a partner diagnosed with dementia. Gould navigates the complex emotions of this journey with extraordinary sensitivity and insight. Gould’s writing is a testament to the human capacity to find a path through even the most challenging of circumstances.

What makes this collection stand out is the balance of emotions that Gould achieves. While acknowledging the darker aspects of her experiences, her work is also permeated with humor and care, crafted with a mix of frankness and decorum. Selah is a compelling read for anyone who seeks a deeper understanding of the human condition, especially in the context of love, loss, and the inevitable changes that life brings.

Get Your Copy

Elementary Particles by Sneha Madhavan-Reese

This evocative collection of poems takes readers on a journey that spans the vast rural landscapes of India to the intimate contours of a hand’s palm, illustrating the diverse and intricate tapestry of life. Madhavan-Reese’s keen, quiet observation lends a unique depth and richness to her poetry, drawing connections between the micro and macrocosms of human experience.

Elementary Particles offers insights into the shared human experience, making it a must-read for those drawn to poetry that illuminates the interconnectedness of our personal and universal journeys.

Get Your Copy
Elementary Particles by Sneha Madhavan-Reese
Riffs by Dennis Lee

Riffs by Dennis Lee

The poems in Riffs are not just celebrations of love; they also acknowledge the weight that love can bring — the responsibility, the vulnerability, and at times, the pain.

Riffs contributes a perspective that while love can be elevating and beautiful, it also demands a lot from us emotionally and can lead to profound heartache. It’s this exploration of the heavier, more contemplative aspects of love and emotional connection that aligns Riffs with the other works in this category, which collectively examine the various dimensions of human experience that weigh upon the heart.

Get Your Copy

Everything, now by Jessica Moore

At the heart of the book is the sudden, tragic death of Moore’s lover in a bicycle accident. Yet, rather than dwelling solely on the catastrophe, Moore’s work is a quest to resurrect memory in its fullest colors. Moore confronts the challenge of transforming overwhelming grief into language that can articulate and traverse the complex landscape of sorrow. She navigates the fine lines between love, loss, grief, and memory, posing poignant questions about the nature of these experiences.

It is an essential read for anyone who has faced the challenge of finding words for the ineffable, and for those who seek to understand the complex interplay of love and grief.

Get Your Copy
Everything, now by Jessica Moore
Blue Sonoma by Jane Munro

Blue Sonoma by Jane Munro

Gracefully exploring themes of aging, loss, and the journey through a partner’s Alzheimer’s, Munro draws on her considerable skills to delve into what T.S. Eliot referred to as “the gifts reserved for age.”

The poetry in Blue Sonoma stands out for its seamless integration of empirical observation and meditative reflection, bridging the gap between dreaming and wakefulness, and melding Eastern and Western poetic traditions.

For those who appreciate poetry that combines emotional depth with lyrical beauty, Blue Sonoma is a deeply moving and insightful read.

Get Your Copy

Undone by Sue Goyette

Undone is a poignant exploration of personal anguish and loneliness characterized by raw honesty and emotional intensity.

What sets Undone apart is Goyette’s exceptional ability to balance the pain with uplifting elements. Goyette’s work illustrates that even in the palpable darkness, there is light to be found and celebrated, especially when it is probed so truly and sung so beautifully. For those who seek poetry that confronts the depths of despair while simultaneously offering a glimpse of hope, Undone is a compelling and cathartic read.

Get Your Copy
Undone by Sue Goyette