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Pathways to Illumination
Pathways to Illumination is the debut poetry collection from Canadian writer Christy Birmingham. The book follows one woman's journey following the end of an abusive relationship. Read how she struggles to rise from darkness, a soul reaching for light, with words that weave hope and despair through the pages.
Pathways to Illumination is available exclusively at Redmund Productions: http://redmundpro.com/book-store/pi/
Pathways to Illumination is available exclusively at Redmund Productions: http://redmundpro.com/book-store/pi/
- GenresPoetry
88 pages, Paperback
First published July 15, 2013
1 person is currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Christy Birmingham
2 books184 followersFreelance writer, blogger, and author who lives in British Columbia, Canada.
I am the author of two poetry collections. The first one is Pathways to Illumination, available exclusively at Redmund Productions. My second book, Versions of the Self, is available on Amazon.
When I am not writing, I enjoy reading anything and everything. Walking on local trails, relaxing with loved ones, and sipping tea are also personal pleasures.
I am the author of two poetry collections. The first one is Pathways to Illumination, available exclusively at Redmund Productions. My second book, Versions of the Self, is available on Amazon.
When I am not writing, I enjoy reading anything and everything. Walking on local trails, relaxing with loved ones, and sipping tea are also personal pleasures.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 18, 2013
I have been reading Christy Birmingham's poetry and writings for the past three years. This is a work of art at its finest which paints a riveting story of a journey she has travelled filled with what was thought to be love, but resulted in pain, suffering much emotional trauma and eventually finding her way out to live with freedom and an amazingly positive outlook.
Through Christy's book, we are able to live the fear, trauma and eventual healing we see in the closing poems. Poetry that touches the heart of the reader as it is written from the heart of someone who has been through a great deal.
The greatest blessing is to know Christy and the heart and willingness she has to share in hopes of helping others who suffer. It is my pleasure to call her a truly gifted writer and friend I admire and a person who many look to for strength, courage and support.
Never stop writing Christy, you have been given a very special gift and a gift which will bless many.
Hugs from Alberta Rolly
Through Christy's book, we are able to live the fear, trauma and eventual healing we see in the closing poems. Poetry that touches the heart of the reader as it is written from the heart of someone who has been through a great deal.
The greatest blessing is to know Christy and the heart and willingness she has to share in hopes of helping others who suffer. It is my pleasure to call her a truly gifted writer and friend I admire and a person who many look to for strength, courage and support.
Never stop writing Christy, you have been given a very special gift and a gift which will bless many.
Hugs from Alberta Rolly
July 21, 2013
I have been a fan of Christy Birmingham’s poetry for a while and eagerly awaited the release of her book…I was not disappointed!
Christy offers a transparent look into her personal journey through a toxic relationship and the depression that ensued, offering healing and hope to the reader. My take away is that regardless of where your path may lead you…it doesn’t have to be your final destination.
Christy offers a transparent look into her personal journey through a toxic relationship and the depression that ensued, offering healing and hope to the reader. My take away is that regardless of where your path may lead you…it doesn’t have to be your final destination.
January 8, 2016
A book of poetry that gives the reader an emotional glimpse into a woman's difficult journey through an abusive relationship. From the relationship's inception, to its tumultuous middle, to its dark end--and finally to the woman's reemergence into light. Through the poet's vivid imagery and rich symbolism, the pain of depression and despair is palpable, as is the soul's will to heal itself.
I'm not one to read much poetry, but this collection completely captivated me. I loved the flowing story nature of it as well as the voyeuristic quality it imparts on the reader.
I'm not one to read much poetry, but this collection completely captivated me. I loved the flowing story nature of it as well as the voyeuristic quality it imparts on the reader.
September 27, 2013
Christy has accomplished something a lot of us try to do but goes one step further. She put her emotions and allowed the world to see. Wonderful poetry that made me think far within, cry, and shared a place within my heart. I have known Christy for almost two years and had no idea of what she has gone through. But her strength prevailed. Love ya girl...so proud of you!
September 1, 2013
Though I could point out repeatedly the great use of symbolism, imagery, metaphors, etc…in this work, I won’t. Instead, I reserve this review for its pure plot message. Christy Birmingham’s work bleeds through the soul. It’s real. It’s life. She will take you on a poetic journey of life, despair, and then resurrection of a heart and spirit that somehow refused to die. Abuse has no favorites and never will. Though marital abuse hit the masses, she knows its demons are unique.
Trace the longing for heartfelt intimacy that leaves her void and raped emotionally by infidelity.
“You coax me for sweet sounds in bed…words that singe at brittle ends, while you strum your body with another women’s arms.”. A desperation to reach his heart["Just tell me how to work my way in..."] to no avail will set her on a tailspin of lost identity and despairing pleas for another chance. “I want to fit into the frame of your bedroom mirror…crawl into…mahogany wood and earn a splinter to remind you that I still exist.”. Written with a spirit of excellence, I developed a deep and abiding veneration for the work she has produced.
Trace the longing for heartfelt intimacy that leaves her void and raped emotionally by infidelity.
“You coax me for sweet sounds in bed…words that singe at brittle ends, while you strum your body with another women’s arms.”. A desperation to reach his heart["Just tell me how to work my way in..."] to no avail will set her on a tailspin of lost identity and despairing pleas for another chance. “I want to fit into the frame of your bedroom mirror…crawl into…mahogany wood and earn a splinter to remind you that I still exist.”. Written with a spirit of excellence, I developed a deep and abiding veneration for the work she has produced.
August 27, 2014
In her book Pathways to Illumination, Christy Birmingham shares the trials and triumphs of overcoming depression. Anyone who has lived with depression will relate to these poems, such as these lines from "What I Dread" -- "What I dread most is not what I dream. I dread waking up."
The poems in this book blend vulnerability with encouragement and strength. Birmingham takes us through the dark places and leads us to recovery in lines such as these from "Fall Away" - "Here I am reaching for the chances and throwing out the worries."
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves poetry. If you need inspiration, you'll want to read "Pathways to Illumination" by Christy Birmingham.
The poems in this book blend vulnerability with encouragement and strength. Birmingham takes us through the dark places and leads us to recovery in lines such as these from "Fall Away" - "Here I am reaching for the chances and throwing out the worries."
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves poetry. If you need inspiration, you'll want to read "Pathways to Illumination" by Christy Birmingham.
November 10, 2013
Book Review by J C Edwards: Pathways to Illumination, by Christy Birmingham
Publisher: Redmund Productions, 2013
Pathways to Illumination, the debut poetry book by Canadian author Christy Birmingham, is the story of the author's long journey to freedom from a toxic relationship, domestic abuse, depression and low self-esteem. Her courage and inner light, combined with a fierce independent spirit lead her into counselling, reflection, self-discovery and ultimately, illumination.
The poems are edgy and soul-searching, and filled with contemporary imagery and sophisticated metaphors that are as poetically delicious as her delectable blog, Poetic Parfait. Christy is a realist and a survivor; and in this incredible collection pens an emotional message of struggle, redemption and hope that so many of us can relate to and learn from.
There are more incredible poems and individual stanzas in this book than are possible to mention; here are just a few that struck me most powerfully:
Sink to the Gravel Bottom - "I feel like a rock thrown to sea, Without allowance for a moment to Jump across the waves. My mind sinks to the gravel bottom to Fester with the other stones of your past."
Watercolors on my Cheek (one of my favorite poems) - "I still question when the pink pill and my paintbrush grew To the sharp point that they were unable to manage me, and When I aged to become a wet watercolor print Without a frame or a hope, unable to Paint a word for help or a smile for myself."
My Legacy Wilting - "My legacy is looking for masking tape To use to cover the holes In my bank account and in my heart, After your scissors cut Intricate designs for days at a time."
Lost and Needs a Home - "You may think I've lost it, But really, I just realized where my home really is."
Soul of Sand (another of my favorites) - "If my soul is made of sand, I hope that the shores stretch for miles With pebbles that remind me of my strength and Footprints that Speak freely about my journey."
Christy's poems are as amazing as she is. Her words are powerful expressions of her journey to discover her authentic self. I could relate to so many of her poems that had me reflecting on my own struggles. Some made me cry; others had me cheering for her. All of them were beautifully, skilfully written words of hope and encouragement to inspire the reader to discover their own pathway to illumination - knowing they are not alone in their journey.
I give Pathways to Illumination a 5-Star Rating, and would not hesitate to recommend it to fans of the genre; and to readers on their own path to self-illumination.
Where to Purchase:
http://redmundpro.com/authors/christy...
Connect with Christy:
http://poeticparfait.com/
https://www.facebook.com/christy.d.bi...
https://twitter.com/christybis
Publisher: Redmund Productions, 2013
Pathways to Illumination, the debut poetry book by Canadian author Christy Birmingham, is the story of the author's long journey to freedom from a toxic relationship, domestic abuse, depression and low self-esteem. Her courage and inner light, combined with a fierce independent spirit lead her into counselling, reflection, self-discovery and ultimately, illumination.
The poems are edgy and soul-searching, and filled with contemporary imagery and sophisticated metaphors that are as poetically delicious as her delectable blog, Poetic Parfait. Christy is a realist and a survivor; and in this incredible collection pens an emotional message of struggle, redemption and hope that so many of us can relate to and learn from.
There are more incredible poems and individual stanzas in this book than are possible to mention; here are just a few that struck me most powerfully:
Sink to the Gravel Bottom - "I feel like a rock thrown to sea, Without allowance for a moment to Jump across the waves. My mind sinks to the gravel bottom to Fester with the other stones of your past."
Watercolors on my Cheek (one of my favorite poems) - "I still question when the pink pill and my paintbrush grew To the sharp point that they were unable to manage me, and When I aged to become a wet watercolor print Without a frame or a hope, unable to Paint a word for help or a smile for myself."
My Legacy Wilting - "My legacy is looking for masking tape To use to cover the holes In my bank account and in my heart, After your scissors cut Intricate designs for days at a time."
Lost and Needs a Home - "You may think I've lost it, But really, I just realized where my home really is."
Soul of Sand (another of my favorites) - "If my soul is made of sand, I hope that the shores stretch for miles With pebbles that remind me of my strength and Footprints that Speak freely about my journey."
Christy's poems are as amazing as she is. Her words are powerful expressions of her journey to discover her authentic self. I could relate to so many of her poems that had me reflecting on my own struggles. Some made me cry; others had me cheering for her. All of them were beautifully, skilfully written words of hope and encouragement to inspire the reader to discover their own pathway to illumination - knowing they are not alone in their journey.
I give Pathways to Illumination a 5-Star Rating, and would not hesitate to recommend it to fans of the genre; and to readers on their own path to self-illumination.
Where to Purchase:
http://redmundpro.com/authors/christy...
Connect with Christy:
http://poeticparfait.com/
https://www.facebook.com/christy.d.bi...
https://twitter.com/christybis
September 17, 2013
Full review at: http://thebookshelfgargoyle.wordpress...
Pathways to Illumination is a collection of poems relating Birmingham’s journey through a toxic relationship and out the other side. The poems are structured to be read sequentially, so that the book almost takes on the design of a verse novel, allowing the reader to experience the author’s journey and engage with her process of healing.
I only occasionally dabble in poetry books, and when I do, I generally read anthologies. I found this book refreshing, because the sequential structure of the book was immediately comfortable to someone who normally reads novels. Also, being able to read the poems in a sequential fashion allowed for time for reflection between reading sessions, and this really enhanced my reading experience.
I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in women's issues, relationship breakdown or the process of healing from trauma. Also, this would be a great title to read as a beginning point for those who don't normally read poetry but would be interested to give it a try.
Pathways to Illumination is a collection of poems relating Birmingham’s journey through a toxic relationship and out the other side. The poems are structured to be read sequentially, so that the book almost takes on the design of a verse novel, allowing the reader to experience the author’s journey and engage with her process of healing.
I only occasionally dabble in poetry books, and when I do, I generally read anthologies. I found this book refreshing, because the sequential structure of the book was immediately comfortable to someone who normally reads novels. Also, being able to read the poems in a sequential fashion allowed for time for reflection between reading sessions, and this really enhanced my reading experience.
I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in women's issues, relationship breakdown or the process of healing from trauma. Also, this would be a great title to read as a beginning point for those who don't normally read poetry but would be interested to give it a try.
June 29, 2020
*Brave and Inspirational*
Christy very cleverly turns a very difficult and personal situation into poetry, to me it feels raw and deeply personal, I could feel her angst and different emotions rolling right off the pages. If you are or have experienced an abusive relationship or a similar situation this book will give you some hope. Christy opens her heart and at times hard to read yet at the same time there is beauty in her writing.
Christy very cleverly turns a very difficult and personal situation into poetry, to me it feels raw and deeply personal, I could feel her angst and different emotions rolling right off the pages. If you are or have experienced an abusive relationship or a similar situation this book will give you some hope. Christy opens her heart and at times hard to read yet at the same time there is beauty in her writing.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews