BATTLE CRY
***
You may have lost the battle,
but you will win the war.
You are not falling apart,
you are falling together.
***
In her debut poetry collection, Jennifer Sara Widelitz guides us along the unpredictable path of living with chronic illness, through the front lines of wars waged within, and to the heart of human courage. Told in five parts, Battle Cry begins with the innocence-laced time before, halted by the sudden onset of illness—the momentous event in one’s life that changes everything. The journey continues with a soothing interlude of healing interrupted by pain-stained relapses, concluding with the strength and resilience accumulated through years of endurance. Accompanied by whimsical illustrations from Jennifer’s own hand, these poems reminisce on lost childhood innocence, teach gratefulness for the rain, cycle through the seasons, persevere through struggles, and rise from the flames even stronger.
Interweaving themes of fairy tales and myths, loss and grief, pain and suffering, love and hope, resilience, and more, Battle Cry is a testament to the warriors fighting unseen battles and any survivor of the human condition. Like its namesake, this collection is a battle cry—a call to arms—that is bound to echo through the generations.
…and more!
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REVIEWS
“[Widelitz’s] words and reflections made me appreciate the world in which I live and challenged me to see it in a new way. I'd recommend the book to anyone who has felt betrayed by either their body or those around them and is determined to rise above adversity.”
“This collection of poems helps the reader empathize with others' pain and come to peace with different life endings than once hoped for. Widelitz is a clever writer.”
“Imaginative and creative, Jennifer Sara Widelitz separates herself from the large majority of poetry anthologies with her ingenuity. For those that love poetry or those that need inspiration, this collection is a must.”
“Widelitz’s approach to this new medium seems destined to find a well-deserved niche among those who, like her, have lived much and deeply, and who boldly anticipate much yet to experience.”
“…the best I have read in a long time. It's a poetry journey through her autoimmunity sickness. This book is a MUST, MUST, MUST read. It's a beautiful book with a beautiful soul. I cannot wait to see what she will put out in the world to read next.”
— Catherine P, Independent Reviewer via NetGalley
“This poetry collection was everything. There were some lines that resonated with me on such a deep and personal level I was taken aback. I loved this collection - it was full of raw truth & raw pain. It was phenomenal.”
— Independent Reviewer via NetGalley