Dreams Like Mine

By Leesa Abbott

Dreams Like Mine is a powerful collection of poetry about love, loss, isolation, and strength in the face of suffering. While many of the poems utilize nature and spirituality as sophisticated metaphors, others are beautifully simplistic and elegant.

This collection of poems exquisitely illustrates the difficulty and intensity of facing one’s demons, shame, and secrecy. They offer a provocative glimpse inside the mind of an individual struggling with grief, trauma, depression, and stigma.

Despite the dark imagery some of the poems conjure, they often transcend these painful shadows into messages of hope, inspiration, and healing. They have a distinctive ability to evoke tears as well as courage and valor during life’s obstacles.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Aug 7, 2013
• ISBN: 9781304304193

Book preview

Dreams Like Mine

Dreams Like Mine

A Collection of Poetry

by Leesa Abbott

Dedication

For my father, who is in my thoughts every day.

Copyright © Leesa Abbott, 2013

All rights reserved.  No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author.

ISBN 978-1-304-30419-3

Published by Lulu Books

Printed in the United States of America

Cover art by Clint Wiedholz

First Edition

Acknowledgments

To my mother, who inspires me to have the strength to carry on.

To John, who supports my pursuits regardless of how small and insignificant or how large and insurmountable. 

To Kelly, who is often the sounding board for my writing and my life. 

To Clint, who gave me the privilege of using his beautiful photography.  And for looking out for me all of these years. 

To Dakota and Ireland, who give me a reason to smile every day.

To all of my family members and friends, who help me and comfort me along this journey.

To everyone out there, who has Dreams Like Mine.

The Human Heart

The human heart

Is amazingly durable

For it can be

Touched

Moved

Lost

Found

Given

Stolen

Stabbed

And

Broken

Without a scar to show for it

Forces in Place

You and me, we’re like the ocean blue

Tried and tormented but always true

Sometimes it feels so frigid like ice

The waves are rocky and fierce at times

The water has depth, it’s scary…unknown

But is has sturdy beaches where we can return

There are sunrises and sunsets, the colors aglow

Reviews for Dreams Like Mine

[sultrydiva · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I wish I’d had some of these poems when I was teaching! My students would have enjoyed reading them. Most important though, is that the students would have understood what was being said. The Sign is probably my favorite, at least for now. It’s both sad and encouraging. Ms. Abbott managed to zero in on what most people worry about. How am I perceived? Will anyone ever see the real me?For me poetry is visual. So many of Ms. Abbots poems paint pictures that your minds’ eye can clearly see. Ms. Abbott is without a doubt a very talented poet!

[alexprosp · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Poets can capture moods, transformation and spirit like no one else, and this volume offers a rich bouquet of moving, heartfelt work. These poems feel bravely personal, and the language, rhythm and focus connected with me on a very deep level. Some I found myself reading out loud in order to really enjoy the language, and there is one I want to memorize to be able to quote (The Sign.) I felt very moved by the themes of love, loss, acceptance and internal struggle. "Lately I'm Watching My Heart Fly Away" is among the best and is a manifesto for self-care and recovery, and "Finding Tears" evocatively and tenderly speaks for those buried in shame. The themes that run throughout include an abiding connection with nature and a spirit of acceptance. In all, a beautiful, challenging and inspiring volume.