The Voice of an Angel: Poems and Letters for Spiritual Renewal from a Fractured Life

By Robert Byrens

Within the pages of his first book, Robert describes his life journey through the words of his poetry and letters. Some of these entries are autobiographical in nature and reference his traumatic childhood experiences as well as a recent bipolar diagnosis. He takes us on his journey from childhood sexual abuse to reconciliation and healing as a mature adult. In addition, he shares poetry dealing with nature, loved ones, friends, and the many unanswered questions about the meaning of life. It is his hope that through sharing these experiences and thoughts, he might help others find healing and comfort in their own lives.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jun 5, 2013
• ISBN: 9781481738330

Book preview

© 2013 by Robert Byrens. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 06/03/2013

ISBN: 978-1-4817-3834-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4817-3833-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013910004

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Acknowledgements

If only

Spiritus

HELL

For Stanzi

An Early Angel

Reeds Lake

Mom Nickels

Love with Mister

Robbie’s Demise

Ken

Hope

First Kenya, then Bagdad

Facing South

My Last Supper

Turning the Corner

Milk (the movie)

My Little Ones

Wishing for cancer

Who am I

Heartstrings

Why

Part Two

Mania and Pine Rest

Letting Go

It takes two

Hurry up and be patient!

My Stallion

Yogic submission

Truth or not

One whale in time

ROBERT

Our Lady Di

My first friend

Spankie

My Angel

A vision

Romeo and Desiree

Coming home?

Part Three

Regaining Wellness

Autumn Voice

Our twilight

Lost silence

Part Four

Letters

Conversation with Stanzi

Letter to Otto

Letter to my abuser

Letter to Myself

Billy’s Letter

About the Author

Acknowledgements

First I wish to thank my incredible husband for his never ending love and support throughout our life together and during this last year of tremendous turmoil and hardship. He summoned endless resources of patience and guidance when I required it more than any other time in my life. I would also like to thank the rest of my support group including friends, family, and counselors.

This volume has truly been a labor of love. Although much of it is painful and difficult to revisit, I do believe in sharing experiences as a way of processing emotions to promote healing while helping others to share their stories as well. If my writings help any others with their life journeys, I will be grateful, honored, and humbled.

This booklet is dedicated to all those

who suffer and hope to

regain wellness

Robert Byrens

February 2010

If only

The robin perches in our trellis

taking each moment as it comes.

He uses his beak to test the branches

shifting, perhaps, to find further comfort

As he breathes in, spring awakens:

if only we could live our lives