The Messy Middle Awakening
Official SXSW speaker, author, and actress Neelam Patel uses storytelling & poetry to invite audiences to sink into the imperfect middle, instead of glamorizing any “before” & “after” in her speech, The Messy Middle Awakening. The light is not at the end of the tunnel - it’s in the messy, complicated, vulnerable middle. Neelam sets the tone for belonging and connection. Be prepared to be cast into a poetry spell, complete with goosebumps.
Unique One-of-a-Kind Gift
For the person who has everything! Celebrate your loved one with a thoughtful custom poem created for you from scratch. You will experience a scintillating, meaningful moment of connection that lasts. This personalized elegant art piece is based on a powerful dive into the essence of the person or relationship. Easily becomes a family heirloom, encapsulating a special moment. See why Washington Post says “Powerful Poetry.”
Signed Framed Poem
Meaningful pre-written poems for holidays, friendships, romance and more. Personally signed and embossed. Bundle with a signed copy of poetry collection Burning it Down, Dancing in the Rubble, and a beautiful journal. Customers say they read their poem regularly for inspiration. Select from various sizes and occasions to invoke inspiration and meaningful conversations.
Neelam Patel.
SHE BURNED IT ALL DOWN.
In 2020, former high-tech executive Neelam Patel torched a 22-year career to pursue her creative passions.
During this time, she generated a debut 300+ page poetry collection, Burning It Down: Dancing in the Rubble, published by New Degree Press, an Amazon bestselling poetry collection in two categories.
As an official speaker for SXSW 2023, she will present a performance and workshop on the topic: Vulnerability is Dangerous, Create Ease with Poetry.
Winner of 2 individual artist’s grants for poetry.
Produced 4 one woman shows, including sold-out audiences.
Performed in 30+ Fringe Festival shows.
Performed poetry for Accenture and for US Department of State events.
Performed in theater shows nationwide.
Graduated with a B.S. in Computer Science from Rutgers University, and from Honors Conservatory at Theatre Lab in Washington DC.
Featured poet at Barnes & Noble
Performed at Georgetown University
Reviews of her published poetry include:
“Powerful Poetry” -The Washington Post
“Neelam’s poems are insanely powerful. She has a gift that is rare and real. Her work is filled with richness, vividness, warmth, deep love, and righteous anger. I love her poetry.” -Jeffrey Kluger, author of Apollo 13
Medicine Book.
In her poetic debut, Burning It Down: Dancing in the Rubble, Neelam renounces the story of transformation as a glamorized "before and after." Instead, her raw poetry carries you through subtle layers and complex emotions, uncovering the deeper truth that the light is not at the end of the tunnel but somewhere in the messy middle.
Burning it Down offers fresh perspectives on friendship, anger, the South Asian-American experience, sensuality, vulnerability, and dreams. It illuminates how opposing feelings can peacefully coexist. Still, vulnerability is dangerous, and her work celebrates protection; in order to make space for true agency in opening up.
Her book has been described as “medicine book” because it avoids talking about the subject; instead, it invites readers into a deeply personal experience, which results in an investigation of one’s own truth.
In a world of overthinking, Neelam welcomes you to sink into wherever you are in your own journey and celebrate the rich, messy middle: the uncomfortable, honest feelings that create space for deep love and safe vulnerability.
- REVIEWS -
"Patel’s poems are insanely powerful. She has a gift that is rare and real. Her work is filled with richness, vividness, warmth, deep love, and righteous anger. I love her poetry."
— Jeffrey Kluger, Author of Apollo 13
"Growing up in New Jersey, Patel was too American for Indians and too Asians for Americans. In this series of affecting poems, she journeys from letting 'the world choreograph me' to learning to say 'no' to being an acquiescent Indian daughter. She finds her true, undivided self only when she takes pen to paper. Fortunately, Patel is an optimistic rebel. Far from bemoaning how difficult it is to be bicultural, she is energized by it and uses it to break out as an artist in the Western mold."
— The Washington Post
“Neelam’s poems are fiercely lyrical and express a range of deep emotions.”
— Leena Pendharkar, award-winning filmmaker
“Neelam's beautiful imagery reflects the breadth and depth of the human condition. Readers will appreciate the huge amount of vulnerability to be raw and unfiltered as Neelam. Burning It Down shows the highs, lows and everything in between of existing as a woman of color in the modern era. The multifaceted viewpoints tell readers that there are many forms of femininity, and they are all worth celebrating.”
— Marina Ali, Brown Girl Magazine
Reviews for Custom Poetry
Gifts.
“Neelam wrote the most beautiful poem for me to gift to my husband for our wedding anniversary. Poetry elicits something different than a photograph. My husband (who is an incredible writer himself) was speechless, elated and impressed by the gift - which is hard to do after being together for as long as we’ve been. I cannot recommend Neelam enough. She will produce an artifact that is guaranteed to become a family heirloom”.
— Neeti Chokshi
“I would highly recommend this service, if you are looking for something completely unique to celebrate or commemorate anything in your life. It’s a gift that we keep reading year after year, day after day; and it still brings tears to my eyes every time I read it. The entire experience was inspiring and heartfelt. She asked smart, out of the box questions and through honest answers, she composed the most beautiful poem. This poem is completely specific to my daughter’s life and personality. “
—Amy Malinski
“One of the most treasured gifts from our wedding is our poem written by Neelam. There’s something incredibly touching about having a poem written just for you. And by far, one of the most lasting and unique gifts we received. We keep it displayed in our living room, and it’s a beautiful reminder of our special day and the life we’ve built together. Neelam’s poem is magic in written form.”
— Alexandra Taliafaro
“Neelam has a gift of careful articulation for our special moment. As we read the words back 15 years later, they still hold true and capture the past present and future of our beautiful union. We have the poem hanging on our wall, and recite it often for inspiration.”
— Kinnary & KU
“Neelam has this innate ability to put into words a sentiment that you may not even recognize at the time. She took a normal, everyday moment and turned it into such a beautiful memory for this mom. My son is my last. I want to savor every moment possible. Her words captured my heart. I can’t recommend her enough. Trust me, Neelam will have you coming back for more!”
— Jazzy B.
“I was blown away by the imagery she used and how it felt like it was picked from my brain without having to say much. Neelam’s writing is concise, vibrant, and full of emotion. You’ll cherish the poem she writes for you for years to come.”
-Roshni P., Business Owner
“Neelam’s poem really set the tone for our remembrance ceremony with a spirit of openness and deep care. She has an uncanny ability to beautify what could have been an awkward moment, so that what could have been an extremely formal occasion transcended into a personal experience of genuine feelings. The sister of the honoree said she felt that Neelam really knew her sister well, though she never met her, and only composed the poem from a brief interview,”
-Reshma N.
“Neelam wrote a celebration poem for my brother’s wife’s remembrance ceremony, and captured her spirit so accurately. In fact, she instinctively weaved images that happened to match her son’s eulogy, so it was a stunning experience. If you need a meaningful piece of art that resonates in simple and profound ways, a poem from Neelam is for you.”
-Steve Litzow
"I never told my mom how I felt about her all these years until now. She loves the poem. It's beautiful, and it’s hanging in her bedroom now."
-Krystyna Reign
“The poem is absolutely beautiful! I was crying when I received it. My mother was deeply touched when I gave it to her, and expressed to me how much she loved me. ”
-Julie Cameron
“Neelam’s personalized poem was performed for my friend’s baby shower during Covid, and it was a rich moment of connection we all were craving, but didn’t know we needed. The poem was the highlight of the evening, and everyone was raving about it after.”
-Emily S.
Reviews of Corporate Performances
“Neelam's performance created a palpable sense of connection, even within a zoom room. Because her poetry hits the right emotional cords so vulnerably, she established the mood for the event - a mood of emotional safety, openness and curiosity about oneself and others.”
— Sarah Oremland, Managing Consultant and Executive Coach at YSC Consulting - Part of Accenture
“I had the pleasure of hearing Neelam’s work at my company’s internal event for International Women’s Day and was moved to tears by the power of her words. Her poetry gave me goosebumps!”
— Susannah Yule, Senior Director at YSC Consulting - Part of Accenture
“Neelam performed at an inclusive leadership workshop for TechWomen, a U.S. State Department group that empowers the next generation of women leaders in STEM from Africa, Central & South Asia, and the Middle East. Neelam did a beautiful job setting the tone of connection in a global audience.”
-Robyn Hidock, Leadership Strategy Consultant and Executive Coach, YSC Consulting - Part of Accenture
— Quote Source
Fun Facts.
Dance is Neelam’s first love, and she improvises dances in public spaces. The first was at the Bean at Chicago’s Millennium Park. Others include Paris at the I Love You Wall and on Copenhagen’s Magstraed Street. This photo is from her performance at a wedding, before it became the central image for her book cover.
Neelam learned to swim as an adult, taking beginner’s swimming class four times before taking her hands off the ledge. Her turning point was in Puerto Rico where she learned to float in salt water, resulting in a belief that she could do it. Cheers to letting go of ledges, and only when we’re ready!
She’s that optimistic person you meet at the airport and accidentally have a meaningful, energizing conversation. One time when that happened, a woman shared her career story. Neelam scribbled a poem about it during the flight. After receiving it, the woman said she would place the poem at her bedside for strength when she needs it.
