labyrinth: poems from the path to wholeness

by Elyria Rose

Do you love who you are, or is your love on hold for who you want to become? Absolutely beautiful. — Lori P. The poems range from heart-tearing to whimsical; wandering from sheer grief to pure joy in living. Timeless subjects written in an engaging, cleverly modern voice. — Kenna M. I usually don't get into poetry or even pretend to understand it. But this I understand!! — Tony S. A mystical Mary Oliver. -- Seth B. Elyria leads you on a simple, profound exploration of self, relationships, boundaries, and identity. Modeled on the journey to the center of a labyrinth, you'll pass through anger, grief, distraction, love, and other people's needs to reach your still, calm center -- pause a moment -- then gather the insights you've found, and bring them back into your world.

80 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 20, 2019

About the author

A few months after my mother died, I changed my name to Elyria. It was a rite of passage suggested by a dear friend who had lost a parent some years earlier.

I wish my mother could read these poems. I know some of them would have made her cry, and sometimes that would have been what she needed.

But more than that, I want you to read these poems. I know some of them will make you cry, and sometimes that will be what you need. I want you to read them, remember how to heal, learn to live with the hurts and the losses you carry -- take a deep breath -- and go on living.

We are all alone in our grief, sometimes. But other times, we can take comfort in sharing our sorrow with others who understand loss. We come away stronger for it.

That is my hope for you.

All my love,

Elyria

Reviews

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I will not leave the questions/ that could awaken your soul/ unspoken."

Elyria doesn't leave the questions unspoken and I'm so grateful they didn't. I loved their first collection of poetry -- singing my mother down -- but this one speaks profoundly to my heart. Their explorations are an invitation, a longing for the wilds and wildernesses of what awakes in our souls.

So many favorite poems here, but "the thousand ways" grabbed my attention immediately; "no one warned me" truly made me laugh out loud (and the formatting is so clever); "snow" resonated; "November" gave me chills; I think about "like weeds" when I'm outside in the garden; "narratives" is full of richness; ... and at this rate I might as well list every single poem. And it's just as well because they all have their gifts and little treasures.

Very glad to have this book as a companion along my own winding path through the woods and canyons.