Bellyache: Poems for Sensitive Souls

by Brianna M. Pastor

From the author of Good Grief, an intimate collection of poems and prose which offers a glimpse into the mind of a highly sensitive person, or empath.

In a world that has become increasingly difficult to navigate—physically, mentally, and spiritually—having empathy is more important than ever. But what if you have a highly sensitive mind? Highly sensitive people, known as empaths, have an expanded capacity to feel not only one set of emotions but also those of others. They experience life more deeply than the average person, leaving them more susceptible to nervous system dysregulation, emotional trauma, and abuse.

Divided into three parts—Body, Mind, and Soul—Brianna Pastor’s intimate collection of poems invites us to explore what it’s like to discover high sensitivity in adulthood and view life through an empathetic lens. Hopefully, by deepening our understanding of sensitivity and how it affects others, we can move one step closer to a more connected, healed world.

I have a bellyache

from constantly absorbing

all this pain.

 

I’d ask you to refrain from telling me,

but your eyes already have.

Genres: Poetry

150 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 24, 2026

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's always interesting to me to read how highly sensitive people describe their emotions. It's almost like they are giving you a scale by which you can measure the depth of their feelings.
There were instances when I read an entire poem or even just a single line and thought what a beautiful way for the author to explain something that is not always so beautiful to experience.

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy.

[Alicia Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bellyache by Brianna Pastor was a strong follow-up to Pastor's debut... especially the opening section, “Body,” which ended up being the standout for me. That section pulled me in quickly and set a tone that made me want to keep reading.

One small thing that occasionally threw me off was the lack of poem titles. At times it was hard to tell where one poem ended and the next began. After a while, though, a rhythm started to emerge, and once that cadence clicked, the reading experience felt smoother.

What really impressed me were Pastor’s longer poems. The shorter pieces (similar to the quick, easily digestible poems often shared on Pastor’s large Instagram account) are enjoyable, but they don’t fully show the range of Pastor’s unique talent. The longer poems give the language room to breathe, and that’s where the imagery, metaphors, and emotional depth really shine. Those pieces were the ones that stayed with me the most.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is for the sensitive readers.

[Charlie - disableddaydreamer | itsbarbieparis (looking for mutuals) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperOne, and everyone involved for the copy in epub. My review is my own.

Genuinely needed a palette cleanser and I love this more modern poetry for that. I don’t think this is everyone’s cup of tea but that’s fine, it was mine. This was a good, fulfilling quick read.

I read a lot of modern poetry and really liked this. It’s hard to elaborate on a book of poems, of course some are stronger but overall it flowed well and I was engaged to read more. I ate it up quick.

Must read for modern poetry readers.

[Meghan O’Brien · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a 3.5! Second poetry collection I’ve read in my Year of Poetry. I came from reading Andrea Gibson, so that is a tough act to follow. This is a very accessible collection and it even inspired me to write a little of my own. Quite a few good ones in here that I know I’ll come back to when I feel like my soul needs a little love.

[Jeana Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many good thoughts but also gentle advocacy to remember to be kind to yourself. Sometimes I forget to do that and I don’t realize I’m burned out until too late and then I spiral trying to figure out how to not keep burning out.

[Sherwestonstec · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful collection of poems. This is her second book and I feel that she has matured in her writing. I have many favorite poems from this collection.

[Baillie ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poetry for sensitive souls? count me in!

I felt both seen and heard while reading the words of another person's thoughts and emotions. poetry is just super cool like that, ya know? Brianna Pastor does a wonderful job.

[Sage · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Brianna’s social media content, and this was an excellent, moving book of poetry. A handful of poems that resonated with me (enough to highlight them!)

✨Chapter 7✨
Maybe one day
the sun will dance off the sky and land
under my eyelids—

The moon will spontaneously
combust
and join my belly in
its fullest shape.

Flowers will give praise
in my direction
for staying intact
in these harsh conditions.

Or something else resembling
what others expect of me

Let me rummage through my soft fire of a
life
without rushing to put it out

✨Chapter 17✨
I am tightly-wound
in a way that would put
anxiety to shame

✨Chapter 19✨
To cry
means that you are feeling as much as you possibly can in that moment.
And that is exactly what I mean when I say that you are alive.

✨Chapter 31✨
Some days,
when the sun comes out
and the air is warm,
your heart will still
feel buried under
what winter left behind.

✨Chapter 46✨
It's not a coincidence that you were born
exactly the way that you are
with the amount of time that you have.
And if you think that none of this
is connected,
please tell me the exact time you will be called back to the Earth?

It's funny, we never really have enough
but have exactly that much,
and still never really know how that can be.

✨Chapter 86✨
The birds talk to each other and
to our ears, it sounds like singing.

Don't tell me that isn't
some sort of inexplicable magic.

✨Chapter 101✨
If I could go back in time
and tell little me one thing
that would change the course
of my entire life,

it would be this:
Cry your heart out.
Because all that harboring
is going to eat you from the inside out
before the worms ever do.

✨Chapter 109✨
I'm going to tell you something that was once told to me, something I've never once forgotten. You are a sensitive soul who loves harder than most people can comprehend.

And because of this, you need to find someone who loves you more than you love them. Because if we're being honest, it's not entirely possible-not in our brain, at least.
So when you're out there, loving people with every ounce of yourself that has ever existed remember not to settle until you find someone who loves you even harder.

Because that is the only way we will ever feel truly seen: when all our sensitive is loved and returned back to us in a way only we could deeply understand.

[Mhughessc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brianna Pastor is an author who is new to me, but I look forward to discovering more of her work! In her latest work, "Bellyache: Poems for Sensitive Souls," she has compiled a collection of poetry for those who have felt like they're too much for others and that they feel too much. Pastor explains how she grew up feeling like she was overly sensitive and couldn't understand how others didn't feel the same emotional weight she did. Upon learning she was an empath, things started to make more sense to her. She has divided this book into three sections: body, mind, and soul. Pastor reminds herself that life "would not be as sweet if it did not sometimes sting" and writes about her innermost feelings.

While I enjoyed the whole book, my favorite section was as follows: "In case your brain is telling you otherwise -- You matter. People are not better off without you . . . I know you have been hurt so often that you've lost count, and I know that hurt piles up. It's easy to find meaning in the hurt and assume the blame. The truth is that you're not responsible for how another person moves through the world or how they treat other people . . . A misalignment between people does not equate to your worth or what you bring to this world," Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Kym · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been following Brianna Pastor on Instagram for a couple of years now, so I was happy to receive an ARC edition of her new and soon-to-be-published poetry collection, Bellyache: Poems for Sensitive Souls (HarperOne, expected February 24, 2026).

Brianna is a highly sensitive empath with a beautiful sense of . . . translation . . . in her poetry. She is able to use her keen understanding of herSELF and how she moves in the world to help her readers relate to the feelings and heartbeats of a sensitive soul.

As with most poetry collections, I enjoyed some poems more than others. That always has to do with my state of mind, as a reader. I find that poems I particularly relate to one day may not even be on my radar another. For me, that is the gift of a poetry collection! You never quite read the same collection twice - even if you are reading the same collection twice.

My favorite poems in this collection (for today, at least) include many of the selections in Part 3: Soul. I can’t wait to get my hands on the actual, published collection for my personal poetry library - and to gift to other friends.

(Also . . . the cover is very lovely.)

Thank you to HarperOne and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. The collection will be published on February 24, 2026.

4 stars

[Mars · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to HarperOne and Brianna Pastor for this ark via NetGalley. Advanced reader copy was lent in exchange for an honest review.

This is a poetry collection for those whose hearts are larger than life and those who have realized/ will realize that no matter all the pain you see in others, it is important to protect yourself. Protect your body, mind, soul. The balance between sharing experiences and sharing wisdom/ advice is very well done.

I enjoyed the structure of this collection as well. The three parts all could have flowed together good but are better, in my opinion, with the sections. The theme was never lost and voice was heard clearly throughout the entire collection.

The poetry was beautiful and touched my heart. I kept thinking about this one beautiful friend I have who would find herself a lot in this. I will be picking this collection up when it is published and I look forward to seeing more collections by Brianna Pastor in the future.

[Helen Wu ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bellyache surprised me in the quiet way books sometimes do. I did not expect to highlight this much, but line after line felt uncomfortably familiar. The poems sit with rumination, self doubt, grief, love, and that exhausting habit of carrying everyone else before yourself. There is a tenderness here, but also honesty. About being in your head. About wanting to be loved without being fixed. About learning when to hold on and when to let go. It reads like someone asking the same questions many of us are afraid to say out loud. Not every poem landed the same, but enough of them did that I felt seen more often than not. That is rare. I finished this knowing I will be following this author closely.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperOne for the ARC!

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this poetry collection. While I wouldn’t call myself an empath, so many of these poems spoke directly to my experiences or the experiences of people I love. I plan to buy a hard copy for myself and for friends.

These poems feel perfect for small‑group discussions at home, with friends, or in book clubs.

One of my favorite parts of poetry audiobooks is hearing the author read their own work. Pastor’s delivery wasn’t as emotionally heightened as I expected, but I quickly realized her tone felt more like gentle affirmations. This is something that you can return to again and again. It’s a surprisingly powerful choice.

I will absolutely be seeking out more from Brianna Pastor.

(I accessed this audiobook ARC via NetGalley).

[Stephanie Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first met Brianna when her wife visited our bookstore. At the time I didn’t realize the author was local and have since met her in person. This is the author’s second book of poetry’ and is vulnerable, heartfelt and beautifully written book. She is just as vulnerable on her Instagram profile, which I’ve been following since meeting her in person. This poetry book would especially be good for someone who is a “sensitive soul” or if you are trying to relate to someone who feels emotions deeply. I can’t wait to get my hands on the hard copy of this book. Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of Bellyache.

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous collections of poems. A few of my favorite annotations…

“I find myself wanting to stretch this skin over your body and live your pain for you.”

“The right people will never question that heart of yours.”

“Chapter 117 You can’t force your heart to mend until you feel everything that it asks you to feel. Then it will cooperate. But first you must be willing to lay in the mess.”

** thank you NetGalley for the ARC copy **

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful, quick read. I found myself highlighting a lot so I could share passages or entire poems and also revisit them myself. In a time when the world weighs heavily on everyone, there were some timely reminders in this collection for those who are maybe more sensitive than others.

I have a bellyache
from constantly absorbing
all this pain.

I’d ask you to refrain from telling me,
but your eyes already have.

e-arc provided by NetGalley ❤️

[Sarah Sjodahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperOne, and Brianna Pastor for this ARC.

This collection of poetry hit a part of me that I didn't realize was paying attention. 

I'm empathetic to the point that it often hurts. Reading the way I tend to feel was so healing. I plan on picking up a copy to refer back to and bring to my therapist. 

Genuinely, what a gift this book of poetry is. 
I highly recommend this to all empaths and to the loved ones of empaths. 

[HeatherH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being an empath is hard; it's heavy. And in today's America? Almost impossible. Pastor captures all of the hurt, the joy, the despair, the hope that comes with such a strong level of empathy. I received an eARC via NetGalley and this was my first impression of Brianna's writings. I'm off now to follow her socials and take in all of her words that I can. Thank you, Brianna M Pastor, for making me feel seen.

[Singe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for an arc

This is a series of poems for the empath and sensitive souls who need encouragement and to know that they are seen and are loved too.

There are three segments Body Mind and Soul

Each poem is by chapters instead of a title.
Overall 4⭐️
There were times it felt repetitive but still a nice message.

[Ville Verkkapuro]

An interesting study of the modern human and at the same time, those special ones who feel too much and for who life is too much. The feelings that this brought up were plentiful: a warm understanding, a sense of being seen, a fatherly smile and another sound of this being a "sign of our times" and "booktok 101", but all in all it made me feel and provoked feelings.

[Bobby Crane · Rating 4 out of 5]

right between 4 and 4.5 out of 5.

definitely won't be everyone's style of poetry but really resonated with me. pastor's use of second person really makes it feel like they're talking directly to you and imploring you to listen to them. nice book to keep around just to remind u of ur strength I think.

[Alliey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brianna Pastor will always over-deliver when it comes to finding the right words to express what’s held in my soft and empathetic heart. This newest book is no exception.

While it may not have as many flagged pages as my copy of good grief, I can confidently say it’s only because I ran out of sticky flags along the way!

[Haley Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A poetry book for sensitive souls such as myself. I feel both seen and heard by Brianna Pastor through these poems. One that stuck out the most for me was
Chapter 54;
And, in a magical turn of events,
I chose me.
And nothing was the same after that.

[Charlsie Graves · Rating 4 out of 5]

The shortest poems spoke to me the most in this collection. Simple, understated, yet powerful. It reminded me why a caring, empathetic heart is more than a shield in a war-stricken world. I’ve recommended to several other sensitive souls. Thanks to HarperOne and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for this review.

[Nicole Perkins · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley as always for the ARC, it is much appreciated! I loved Brianna Pastor’s Good Grief; it was a four-star read for me. I was looking forward to Bellyache based on how much I enjoyed her previous book. While I did like it, I definitely feel that Good Grief was the better book. There were lines I loved and copied into my commonplace book, but overall this book had the feeling of reading a person’s pep-talk journal entries. Good, but not great. I would recommend it though, for the beauty of such lines as: “I hold my pain/ in my stomach and/ it gives me the guts/ to write about it.” and “The birds talk to each other and/ to our ears it sounds like singing./ Don’t tell me that isn’t/ some sort of inexplicable magic.” In Bellyache, Pastor also offers some sincere advice, some I think I shall take to heart: “If you ever find yourself stuck/ between your heart and your mind,/ sit under a tree.” And finally, I want to share one of Pastor’s thoughts that I have written up and posted on my wall: “[…] Where there is the truth of you--/ all else runs its natural course.”