Poetry is My Therapy A Journey to Healing

By Joanne Guillard

Poet and Author Joanne Guillard will take you on a personal journey in her new book Poetry is My Therapy: A Journey to Healing. She dives deep inside her childhood and takes the reader through her healing process in her debut poetry collection. Her vulnerability reveals the depth of her experience on every page.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Joanne Guillard
• Release date: Jan 30, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393836698

Book preview

Dedication

First, I would like to dedicate this book to my Almighty God, my Lord, and Savior Jesus Christ.

To the memories of my father Luckner St. Fleur Sr. and friend/brother Dimitri Y. Rinchere.

To the millions of children that are abused/neglected every day and the adults who are still dealing with memories of a lost childhood.

To everyone that feels or ever felt depressed and alone.

To all the children and teenagers living in foster homes, group homes, or on the street.

To the many mentors and strangers who encouraged and inspired me to do my best.

Preface

Statistics show that child abuse is reported every 11 seconds, 1 out of 3 girls and 1 out of 5 boys will be sexually abused before the age of 18, and 90% of child sexual abuse victims know the perpetrator in some way (U.S. Department of Justice). Most abusers are family members and/or others that are close to the family. Physical, sexual, and emotional abuse are the most common types of abuse.

This collection of poems has been written over the years. This body of work revolves around my experiences with the aftermath of child abuse I endured and the struggles I went through finding and embracing the healing process. During the years after I came home from being in foster care for five years, I struggled a lot with my emotions and adjustment. My earliest memory of my childhood trauma began from a preteen to adulthood, on and off I dealt with flashbacks, depression, and other mental breakdowns. The feelings I’ve learned to put aside and had me numb always resurfaced.

My intention for writing this book is to inform, educate, and open everyone's eyes.

Acknowledgments

First, I would like to Thank God for His protection and guidance. Thank You, God, for allowing people to come and deposit encouraging words when I needed them and allowing me to give the same kindness back to someone else.

Back in 2014, before I even knew I was going to write this book, I went to seek counsel in my Pastor and First Lady Screen about forgiveness. They were encouraging and helped me on my journey to count on and trust in God to continue forgiving, as the First Lady told me forgiving is an ongoing process. After I told them my story; God began to deal with me on this journey to healing and moving forward to forgiveness. Through prayer, I seek God’s guidance to tell my story to show His glory. So, I remember my First Lady Minister Marsha Screen as I completed this book. The love she always gave even when she was sick was the definition of strength. I will always keep Pastor Screen and Family in prayer. Rest peacefully in the Lord Minister Marsha Screen your words will always reside with me. Thank you both for encouraging me to move forward and dealing with my past.

Thank you to the Rinchere family, Mrs. Brown, and Ms. Tellers for allowing your families to take