Review of "We Were Seeds" from Querencia Press

Megan Diedericks
5 hours ago
2 min read

"Only I was blessed to be able to fight

For their freedom with my pen and my voice

Not forced to do it with my flesh and my bones" [My Sister by Ramona McCloskey] —

These lines encompass what this anthology is all about for me: Writers coming together and using their pens to speak out against the genocide currently taking place in Palestine.

We Were Seeds is a heartbreaking read, with threads of hope still woven throughout. It's also a very necessary anthology, showcasing how important poetry (and all writing and art) is. For me, it also displays the kinder side of humanity—people still care and we'll still do what we can to help: through writing/art, spreading awareness, reading, donations (which all sales will be used for! Link at the end.)

"Bombs cannot drop, dropping is for tears and rain.

Bombs cannot fall, falling is for empires." [Insufficient Words for Gravity (The Occupation of Bombs) by Meredith MacLeod Davidson]

I saw a review stating: “I hate that this is a poetry collection that must exist but I love that it does...” and I couldn't have said it better myself. Poetry like this helps people better understand things that they may never come into contact with themselves.

These are the pieces that stood out to me:

• Holy Land – Danielle Barr

• Tassels & Turmoil – Zehnab Hayat

• Notes to My Unborn Child – Nazaret Ranea

• The Hands of Gaza – Ramona McCloskey

• Labeled Arms – Meredith MacLeod Davidson

• Argon Sun – Halley Kunen

• My Sakura Memoir – Jiang Pu

• Etymology of a Watermelon – Yoda Olinyk

• A Stillborn Law – Savannah Jade

• of olives and watermelon in October – Sebastian Ellios

• The Horror in Their Eyes – Dr. Adam Yaghi