My Redemption Journey: Embracing a New Reality

By Elijah Levy Ph.D.

In this collection of poetry, individuals living with mental illness write in an intimate, evocative and vivid style their longing for acceptance, respect and recovery. For the mentally ill, writing poetically by using imagery, figurative language, symbolism and metaphor is a safe passage to capture hope, redemption and and purpose. Individuals living with disorders on the Schizophrenia Spectrum and Bipolar Disorder are a vessel of truth and writing poetically transforms that truth in a way that makes it amenable to healing. What is dormant and shameful to disclose is awakened, and it energizes one to act in some way to heal and defeat ongoing devaluation, loneliness, stigmatization and alienation. In the end, it is hope that gives life meaning and sustains faith for the good life. Without hope, one lives in despair and futility. The evocative nature of poetry transforms silence, alienation and insignificance to sound. The written word, the poem, is shared so others can understand and empathize with the mentally ill to abolish alienation, stigma and to welcome integration. The healthy mind will invariably understand the depth of suffering of the mentally ill and through empathy, the ability to take the role of the other, become more compassionate toward the mentally ill. Although each of the poets in this book lives a mental illness, they are unique in how they creatively express their thoughts.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9798369403303

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Copyright © 2023 by Elijah Levy, Ph.D.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 07/18/2023

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT BY ELIJAH LEVY, PH.D.

I began conducting group at The Chateau about two years ago. We created an impressive community of inquiry and learned so much together. Early on I discovered that many of the residents enjoyed writing and some had written poetry and written creatively in the past. So I naturally asked if they were interested in learning to write prose, narrative or free verse poetry and they were interested. Two years later, we now have our anthology of poetry.

This project demanded two years of a sustained effort to produce a meaningful, insightful and beautiful collection of poetry. The poems contain imagery, symbolism and narrative accounts of life as experienced by loving souls living with severe, persistent mental health conditions. Figurative language adds to the emotional appeal and gratifying mood the reader will experience. The themes include love, life interrupted by mental illness, family, aging, friendships and how God inspires hope, optimism and strength to pursue recovery and meaningful living. I am eternally grateful the residents wrote and experienced how therapeutic and liberating the writing process could be. The process engendered self-discovery and illuminated once dark passages to bright landscapes of fertile soil.

I have been employed by Trucare Community for 27 and it has been my eternal true work. I must express my deep appreciation to the Bolong family who founded Trucare Community for their enduring support of my work at all of our facilities. I am empowered to implement our recovery program so the residents can achieve their rehabilitation goals. I have the resources to support each resident’s path to reclaim their lives, imbue their life with meaning and pursue self-determination. We have attained impressive program accomplishments at the facilities and we continue to inspire residents to achieve worthwhile goals. All the employees at all the programs from our administrative leadership, housekeeping, dietary and other departments care deeply for the residents and are invested in their well-being and recovery.

Undoubtedly someone needed to type the manuscript which was handwritten by the residents. Debi Klement dedicated countless hours typing everyone’s poetry to create the manuscript. We are so grateful to have Debi support this project and she understands how the publication of this anthology champions the march toward recovery for our residents. Thank you so much Debi for the ongoing care you express for our residents.

I started writing out of mental anguish as well as physical pain and I found relief in writing. I hope to inspire others in similar situations.

Peter Smekal

For those who live with mental illness these poems are a view into my mental states. I hope I help forge an innovative and unique path for those who have been struggling with their disabling illness.

Phil Younes

The writing process gave me the courage, faith and spiritual food that gave my life much more than meaning than before I wrote.

Rhonda Sue Miller

I hope that my poetry will inspire others living with mental illness to never surrender hope you can recover to lead a satisfying life.

Barbara Vank

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Peter Smekal

Rhonda Sue Miller

Priscilla Kelly

Phillip Younes

Barbara Vank

Chad Reznicek

Irene Gonzales

Tanya Cooper

PETER SMEKAL

I was born in Prauge, Czechoslovakia, my mom’s first born son and lived there until the age of seven when we emigrated from communist CZ to Switzerland where my father hoped to secure a job as an airline pilot. I do recall the many hardships they experienced but my father chose the right way to go because without him getting my brother back from communist CZ would not have been possible. We were in Switzerland six months then to southern CA and father got a job at Western Airlines as a flight dispatcher. I was 8 at the time and finished high school at Mira Costa HS in Manhattan Beach. After high school I attended El Camino junior college then found work full time as an office assistant for six years. Currently I enjoy writing and living in Southern California.

These poems are dedicated to mom, dad and all of my in-laws.

DAY IN THE PARK

T he sound of the music Fills the air

Giving us reason

So this harmony

We can all share

These guys before me

Giving their all

Making us smile

Having a ball

They’re my friends

They’re gifted guys

From their audience

I hear the cheers and sighs

May their dreams be true and free So here we are

Live in life

For the moment

So we can be free

Through serenity

BEYOND THE OPEN DOOR (REPRISE II)

I am looking for an open door somewhere to the other side because you see.

I’ve been scared and lonely.

Felt like time has passed me by.

It is like this you see.

Time is running out.

Whatever my destiny.

Whatever my fate.

I’ve had my fill of this world’s rhetoric and hate.

Despite it all I think the past Adversity has taught me Faith in God How’s the power to set one free

Looking ahead I can see

The darkness of the past is gone

I used to look for a way out

Yes I long to be free

There were times I loathed myself But in the end

There is no one else I’d rather be

I thank God for revealing this reality

After all I have much more than just dreams Yes the past is just a reminder

Of which I write in these lines

Life goes on. sometimes it’s cloudy

And sometimes the sun shines

If we truly believe

Somewhere beyond

Beyond our earthly life

Their weights on open door

Eternity beckons and Jesus waits

So much to look forward to. so much in store

DAYS BY MINUTE

T here are times when I see the reflection in the mirror all I’ve lived for is not quite as it should have been although the path I am on now is getting a bit clearer

The lines on my face, circles under my eyes, traces of past like the haunting memories of those foolish yesterday’s I’ve heard the last shall be