From Despair to Hope and Healing

One Woman's Journey in Poem

Poetry - Inspirational
170 Pages
Reviewed on 06/15/2019
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

From Despair to Hope and Healing: A One Woman's Journey in Poem by Barbara K. Mezera is a collection of poems that gives a glimpse into the poet's personal space. The poems are a good combination of personal and universal themes where she throws the problems and joys of her life into verse. The poet has struggled with depression from a very early age and these poems have also been part of her therapy and recovery from her state of depression. The poems will help readers deal with the same problems, deal with life the way she did, and fit in well with their surroundings. The collection is divided into sections; Wrestling With The Big D, Family Matters, Health Matters Too, What I Do, On Being Shy, Relationships, and Random Musings.

This collection is about finding meaning in life, hope, and healing, and though many of the poems lean towards the dark side of life, there are some poems where the thread of hope runs bright, encouraging readers to look at the positive side of life despite the darkness that lingers in life. Her poems are raw, stark, honest, and give readers a peek into her struggles and how she overcame these. I like the way the poems segue into the next sections, finally ending with her random thoughts that touch on diverse topics. It is difficult for me to choose a favorite poem because they all do a good job in baring the poet's spirit and emotional side and will strike a chord in the hearts of readers. The last poem, 'Into the Woods,' is magical and will encourage readers to find their true selves. It is the perfect poem to end this collection.