Tiffany Manbodh’s Forget Me Nots: A Journey of Sexual Abuse and Healing
photos courtesy of Tiffany Manbodh
written by Tiara Jade
West Indian women are often viewed as strong and unbreakable. Even in the face of traumatic events, we are expected to keep up the tough exterior, fulfill our duties as wives and respectful daughters. We should never speak on anything out of the norm. It’s seen as taboo. Nowadays, with movements such as “Me Too” and new platforms for discussion available, more and more women are finding the courage to tell their stories of sexual abuse — a topic that is well-known and yet silenced in the Caribbean community.
Guyanese American author, Tiffany Manbodh’s debut poetry collection “Forget Me Nots,” takes the readers through her personal journey with sexual abuse, recovery and mental health. The book is divided into three sections: The Great Fall, Healing & Restoration and Thriving. As you flip through each poem, you’ll immediately recognize the series of poems that take you through Manbodh’s painful and yet brave story. Poetry is used to narrate a story many West Indian women have experienced and are afraid to tell.
[Additional Read: These Ghosts Are Family: A Conversation with Author Maisy Card]
In the first section, titled “The Great Fall,” Manbodh gracefully guides us through the events leading up to her abuse. The author delivers a power-punch reveal as she walks us through the relationship she had with her abuser and the actual event. It starts off with dates and hand-holding but she expresses her doubts and foreshadows the turmoil that will soon shake up the dynamic. This is illustrated in the poem “Gone Fishing - Catching Feelings.” Manbodh recounts a fishing trip and a day gone well; only to recall that several weeks later her circumstances went from day to night. It is with great fortitude and poetic skill that she is able to put these experiences into a lyrical flow.
As we move into “Restoration & Healing,” Manbodh describes the grief and emotions that comes after experiencing a traumatic event. Many of the poems in this section talk about her relationship with God, and His hand in helping her along the way. Through prayer, she was able to get through some of the hardest days. In “Crying - A Catharsis,” she talks about days where her emotions were too much and despite all the tears already shed, she still has more. Perhaps the best thing about this section of the book is the raw emotion. Manbodh is completely honest with her readers about every good day and bad day. In the poem “Discovering An Artist in Myself,” Manbodh says:
“I remember sitting at my desk, I was crying and in a complete mess. My mind wouldn’t stop racing.”
This feels like a realistic voice to what many victims experience after a crisis. It’s both refreshing and relatable.
In the final section “Thriving,” Manbodh paints the light at the end of the tunnel for the reader. Her tone changes in this section, feeling lighter and more positive. The first few poems highlight the hobbies that she has picked up along her journey; cooking, crafting and hand making beauty products. These sweet poems depict the growth and change in her spirit as we near the end of the book. “Don’t settle for less, have your cake and finish it off with tea,” Manbodh says in “Be a Voice for Women.” This iconic line is written with a particular boldness. We can’t help but feel proud of how far she’s come over the course of the book.
In “Forget Me Nots,” Manbodh tells the dual story of victim and survivor. Her healing is both soothing and inspiring. The content gives voice and is especially relatable to those who have faced sexual abuse. Her style of poetry is both vivid and emotional, expressing each moment with great detail. The ending proves to be victorious as we see Manbodh prosper despite her her struggles in dealing with sexual abuse. Whether an avid poetry lover or someone in search of a relatable voice and healing, “Forget Me Nots,” is a must-read.
To learn more about the author click here.
Author Tiffany Manbodh