Awake: Poetry for the Healing

by Felicia Clark

Poetry for the Healing invites readers on an intimate journey of trauma, healing, and self-discovery. With grace and unflinching honesty, explore the rawness of mental health struggles, abuse, and grief in this powerful poetry collection. Tracing a path from childhood innocence to adult renewal, this is written for anyone who has faced life's crossroads and chosen to rise.



AWAKE is a testament to the strength within us all. It reminds us that even in our darkest moments, we can find light and emerge stronger.



Are you awake?

119 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 2, 2025

Reviews

[Midwest Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading AWAKE we remember that it’s easy to sleepwalk through the land of trouble, to ignore the gut feeling that all is not well and keep stumbling toward what we hope will be better days. As children we don’t have the words for this apprehension, but even then the body knows it for what it is, a warning that persists despite all reassurance. Felicia Clark’s poems assert that opening our eyes is worth all of the pain it may cause, for only with clear vision are we able to put one foot in front of the other and move to fulfillment and safety. She shows us that healing means drawing clear lines against those who’ve hurt us and adulthood means making the hard choices we know are best. Sobriety is another jolt of awakening, as the pleasures of the real world become clear and almost edible. In order to grow, these poems insist, we need to sort, cut, edit, and revise. True friends stay, as does true love. As the speaker reminds us in “Temporary,” a poem about waking from surgery, “this pain, this dizziness, this discomfort, is temporary.” And in learning to trust intuition, we live as we wish, wide awake and on our own terms.

[Karen M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm loving this book. Anyone who is healing from past hurts and trauma will align with this book. As I turned the pages each poem spoke to me. I want to rush through to read it all but I'm savoring each page.

[J. Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poetry for the Healing is a deeply moving collection that takes readers on an emotional journey through trauma, resilience, and self-discovery. The author’s raw honesty and graceful storytelling make each poem feel personal yet universally relatable.

One of my favorite parts was the sections on self-care. Those poems stood out as a reminder that healing isn’t just about surviving pain but also about learning to nurture and love oneself. The way the author captures moments of reflection, growth, and renewal is truly inspiring.

If you’ve ever faced struggles with mental health or finding your inner strength, this book is a must-read. It’s not just poetry—it’s a companion for anyone on a journey of healing. Great job :)!

[Jennifer S · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful poetry worth imagery that tells a story. Great read

[Erica Bartsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Swiftie, I liken AWAKE: Poetry for the Healing to the way Taylor Swift’s lyrics break me open in all the best ways. Felicia Clark’s poetry is raw, resonant, and deeply personal, yet it has a universal pull that makes you feel like she’s speaking directly to your soul.

With unflinching honesty, Clark explores trauma, healing, and self-discovery, guiding readers through the weight of mental health struggles, grief, and resilience. Just like when I dissect Taylor’s lyrics, I found myself so pulled in and intrigued that I was googling, searching for the depth and meaning hidden within Clark’s words. Every poem felt like a puzzle piece, fitting together to form a journey of pain, reflection, and ultimately, hope.

AWAKE reminds us that even in our darkest moments, we can find light, strength, and understanding within ourselves and the words of others.


*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Corrina Holt · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, thank you to the author for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this stunning collection. Awake is raw and visceral. Each poem is an unflinching look at the complexities of life. The words cut deep in the best way—poignant, moving, and unforgettable.

I’m in awe of the way the author has laid bare these pieces of herself, offering them to the world with such honesty and grace. I can’t wait to hold a physical copy in my hands so I can revisit the collection often.

[Kyla Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolute phenomenal collection. The raw and complete experiences shared through the authors lyrical writing had me on a journey of self discovery. I would highly recommend this book.

[Laura Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This poetry collection is a mine for literary geocachers. Nearly ever poem echoes or foreshadows a series of concrete images that elicit as much emotion from readers as the named emotions themselves. Dolls, stuffed animals, grocery stores, ring boxes, birds, cats, fires, fossils, tombs, callouses, and scratches on cars help us to live vicariously through Felicia's experiences. Add to these images the literal graphics on the pages (A pyramid comprised of the letter "A"; blueprints; and crows that flap into view) and the collection is as vivid as film. Perhaps the most brilliant of all the poems are "foreshadowing" (which appears early) and "Ouroboros" (which appears late), both of which I've pulled from the collection to keep on my desk. Although "foreshadowing" is gruesome, the final line -- "Of course, it could never happen to us" -- still hits me, as the poem says with scalpels, "revealing lungs between ribs." This is not just a collection of poetry for women on healing journeys. It's also a collection for readers who relish image, language, and metaphor.

[Nikki Kallio · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel so lucky to know the author of this beautiful collection, but you don't have to know Felicia to feel connected to her poetry. While Awake: Poetry for the Healing comes from a deeply personal place, it reads nearly like a field journal of human experience, speaking universal truths about trauma, grief, rage, discovery and healing. The way Felicia weaves the darkness into light will undoubtedly resonate with people who have faced or are facing similar challenges, and ultimately provide hope that healing is possible and real.

[Melissa Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Felicia Clark, your poetry speaks to the deepest parts of the soul. I felt every word, every emotion, and every step of your healing journey as if it were my own. It’s an honor to hold your words in my hands and to witness your courage.

I’m beyond grateful that the world now gets to experience your brilliance. Your voice matters, your story matters, and this book is going to touch so many hearts—just like it has touched mine.

If you haven’t already, go get this book. It’s a gift to the world.

[Kristopher Childress · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best complement I can give this book is to say that I wish I had this book when I was a much younger man. It could have prevented a lot of self harm and poor decisions made because I never felt like I was ever given permission to feel and deal with those feelings. I love this book and there are several of the poems that I know I will be going back to for years for a reminder that it's ok and you can feel and grieve and heal.