Dark Recesses of the Mind

I am a survivor of terrible childhood trauma. The PTSD I have experienced my entire life has defined my existence. Depression, anxiety, panic these are constant problems. In middle age the illness overwhelmed me and forced me into treatment. I learned to use poetry to express my feelings and talk about topics not easy to discuss. I posted a few of my poems on social media where I quickly received the feedback of friends that these were "pretty good." I am not certain that this is true, but I have decided to publish a book of poetry nevertheless. On the brighter side, several people have conveyed to me that my poems have been helpful to them. When they feel alone and isolated, these poems help them to understand that others can feel the same. One section explores Japanese poetic forms. These tend to be more cryptic, but I do so enjoy applying these forms to English. It is no small struggle to express ideas in English using the Japanese syllabic form. This may be why the Haiku is so popular in the English-speaking world these days as it presents a challenge. It is my supreme hope that this work will contribute in some small way to the overall agenda of destigmatizing mental illness. I hope these poems will help everyone who hurts to seek healing, those who do not understand to seek understanding, and those who are unaware of the struggles of the mentally ill to become aware. Together, we will bring forth a kinder, more understanding, and more loving world.