This collection of poetry and drawings explores the experience of moving past survival mode in order to
let go of false perceptions of self, building the capacity needed to reclaim a truer sense of self and
identity. It is about the experience of living with inexplicable illness and pain, loss of memory, abuse,
love, and loss. It celebrates the beauty of imagination’s power to heal the body, rejuvenate our sense of
self, and teach us better ways of living.
The book reclaims common medical terms in order to bring them back to more relatable human
experience that can be felt and understood, offering instead the capacity to engage with the inherent
needs that they represent. The poetry is an intimate and vulnerable portrayal of what it is like to live
with and heal from trauma, while the drawings explore self-awareness as a tool to understand our past
and improve our sense of well-being.
The book illustrates the process of doing inner child work as a way of healing the mind and body. It is a
homage to the profound healing power that imagination can play in building new perspectives that are
meaningful and significant—beyond mere survival.