About the Author: Leela Asd is a Kenyan-American poet, writer, and spoken word performer from Columbus, Ohio. She uses her art to explore themes of grief, spiritual endurance, personal identity, and love. Her work is a testament to her own life experiences and cultural background. Leela has performed her poetry at events like Denison University's "Hear Us" and uses poetry as a form of resistance and spiritual expression. About the Book: In her debut poetry collection, Wounds of a Mirrored Heart , Leela Asd shares her deeply personal journey through a period of devastating loss and self-discovery. The book is a tribute to her younger brother, who was tragically lost to gun violence. Through a series of poems, prose, and symbolic imagery, Leela navigates the complex and non-linear process of grieving. The book is structured to reflect the author's emotional landscape, with "Painting Grief" poems marking the stages of grief, and recurring symbols like birds representing memories and existence crises. Through her powerful storytelling, Leela aims to create a sense of belonging for those who have experienced loss and to help readers understand that healing isn't about forgetting, but about learning to grieve differently. Ultimately, Wounds of a Mirrored Heart is a story of resilience, a tribute to the transformative power of love, and a heartfelt thank you to the family and faith that helped her endure. It is a book for anyone who has loved and lost, and a reminder to cherish the people in our lives while they are still with us.