Unexpected Alchemy: Poems of Addiction and Awakening

by Skye Nicholson

In Unexpected Alchemy, poet Skye Nicholson shares her journey of recovery—and empowerment—after ending 25 years of alcohol abuse. Her poems are filled with soaring language, fraught memories, and poignant images of motherhood and self-acceptance. Readers will discover a remarkable empathy from poems that effortlessly invite nature, relationships, and presence. Paired with artful designs by Indie illustrator Cheryl Liz Byers, Skye's words evoke a courageous and raw honesty that illuminates how decades of addiction and shame can dissolve through vulnerability, compassion and self-love.

After finding freedom from alcohol in 2018, thanks in part to Annie Grace’s bestselling book This Naked Mind, poetry was the catalyst that shook the dust out of Skye’s shadows and aired her newly open soul in the sunlight. The beauty of her story is in its transformative nature: the dichotomy of discovering love through loathing, joy through sorrow, and wisdom through pain. Skye remains on the life-long journey of personal growth, but she has learned the importance of breath, stillness, and sunlight to nurture her soul.

In 2021, Skye became a certified Recovery Coach through This Naked Mind Institute and formed Soul’s Truth Coaching, LLC, an empowerment coaching service for women, so that she may offer assistance to others as they regain control over alcohol.

Praise for Unexpected Alchemy:

"In this wonderful collection of poetry, Skye Nicholson beautifully illustrates her incredible life transformation. Not only through her words, but also through their artistic arrangement on the page, Skye empowers her readers to vividly imagine every scene and relate so deeply to the inspirational stories she shares."
~Annie Grace, best-selling author of "This Naked Mind" and "The Alcohol Experiment"

"Skye's writing is magical. She brings you to the depth of your emotions and the pain, yet, magic of being a human. This poetry collection is a gorgeous work of soulful inspiration. I dare you not to be moved when you're reading it."
~Karolina Rzadkowolska, best-selling author of "Euphoric: Ditch Alcohol and Gain a Happier, More Confident You"

Genres: Poetry

87 pages, Paperback

Published December 23, 2021

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpected Alchemy is a beautiful collection of growth from a talented friend and poet. The depictions used in Skye's poetry make it a joy to read. A few favorite lines are from the poems "7AM in June" where she describes, "it is yellow spider's hour to catch the sunlight, her silks draped over the barberry like disrobed lingerie", and from "Crocus" where she delivers this fantastic line, "Flicking a green middle finger to the icy wind, she's turning heads and making a scene, like the badass bulb her momma raised her to be." Struggle, expansion, and daily happenings are brought to life through Skye's writing, and I'm happy to have been taken through some of her journey through this deeply felt, alluring, and varied collection!

[Melina Lobo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was riding sparks, kicking coals
touching toes to lighting bolts
and burning bridges to the ground.
🦄🦄🦄
Unexpected Alchemy by Skye Nicholson is the poet's journey as a recovering alcoholic told in the form of beautiful poems that centres around how her life has changed since 2018 while including the struggles faced with giving up on her addiction. The poet has a beautiful way with words and while describing crucial moments in her life she pours her heeat and soul into it. For e.g. in Return of the Sandhill Cranes she says

'I hovered in doubt and you said
that fear is a growing pain, it’s really about
the journey, and what lies ahead
is always worth discovering.'

Overall, it's a eloquent and breathtakingly ambient poetry book in the midst of chaos and turmoil and with every page turnedit feels like you are watching a Phoenix rise from the ashes.
🦄🦄🦄
Rated 10/10
Melina L.

[Colette Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful collection of poetry sharing the author's path through and out of alcohol addiction. So many tears, laughter and everything in-between as I journeyed through the alchemical process of purification. Highly recommend!!!!

[Amber Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

A poignant collection of deep expressions from the heart. Unexpected Alchemy is a poetic story that takes the reader through the various stages of the author's personal journey toward sobriety, and makes for a heartfelt read to all who open themselves up to it.

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book caught me off guard in the best possible way. It was raw and moving and deeply touching. I loved how each section was a different part of the process of alchemy, which is the transformation of matter, such as turning base metals into gold. And it is much the same as the process when a person decides to start over again and begins the healing process to transform themselves into something stronger than before. I loved the way the book flowed and followed each of the alchemy stages. There were a few poems that stuck out to me most overall: Rearview, Hallways Are Darkest at 3AM, and Elemental Magic. I highly recommend this book.