Phoenix Rising by D.J. Hawkins

As the flowers sprout from your cracks,

lean into the pain as your tears water the

dying land of your body.

It has been quite a moment since I have sobbed over a collection of poems - especially of this nature. Somehow, Hawkins manages to intricately combine the details, quite clearly, of abuse and vividly, yet not grotesquely describe what it's like to live in... day in and day out, without reprieve. This book seemed to be a beacon to me, to those that, if they don't need to seek help for their situation, the ones that at least need to be understood.

you said no one else

would see the stars in my eyes / my worth / could you? / did

you even try? / then you left / they always do

It highlights the nuances of mental abuse, with multiple proses in similar structure and theme speaking on the idea of not being enough for anyone else, of the game that their partner played with them. 

Let me in

or let me go.

There is nothing

in between.

-I don’t want your gray areas

Throughout the book, we see Hawkins growing, and it is so so very powerful. It gives hope to the reader as they venture on this journey with them, feeling the remnants of the abuse in the carefully picked words of Hawkins. This piece of literature was so very powerful and I would recommend it to any single person that would listen to me.

I was provided this ARC through BookSirens in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. Thanks extended to Hawkins for this opportunity