In Plain Sight

by Shaun Austin

“If you've never read poetry before, do yourself a favour — read this. Incredibly moving, painfully honest, and deadly accurate. Shaun Austin tells it like it really is, in service and its aftermath, and provides a pathway to hope.” —Tony Park, veteran and author


We’re not alone in our pain, despite how it may feel
And we can live to find joy again if we take the chance to heal
Although we all must leave our service, our purpose or our tribe
It can be a new beginning, where we focus more on life

I welcome you to join me, on this mission here today
To share each other’s stories, so we all find the way
Forget the preconceptions of what poetry can mean
It can alter your perceptions of a world that can’t be seen

This book is my own story, but it calls to many more
Of the soldiers that go lonely, to a life beyond a war
We lose them all to suicide, depression or to pain
To Post Traumatic Stress, or to guilt they can’t sustain

It doesn’t have to be like this, a war within themselves
Our tribe can band together, to recover them from hell
We’d never let our mates down, in the middle of the fight
Well, they are out there calling, from a battle in plain sight

“By writing and publishing this book, In Plain Sight, Shaun Austin will save veterans’ lives. His poetry and reflections on each poem are selfless, insightful, and articulate. If every veteran, family member and everyone who has ever loved them, who has ever struggled with their mental health, could be as brave and authentic as Shaun in this book, every veteran's world would be a better place. Reading this book will help many of them achieve that. Thank you, Shaun.” —Lieutenant General John Caligari AO, DSC (Retired)

About the Author

Shaun Austin speaks from the heart to share his experience with pain, suffering, and suicidal depression to help others see they are not alone. Shaun left home at 15 and struggled at an early age to find a sense of purpose and belonging to overcome his pain. After eight years in the Australian Army, he was medically discharged and confronted once again with his past and the challenge to find meaning. His poetry is an expression of this journey and the way to find purpose through our pain, so we can live a fulfilling life after service.
Shaun now works for a robotics an artificial intelligence company as a Systems Engineer making robotic platforms to help save lives in Defence.

192 pages, Paperback

Published March 9, 2022

Reviews

[Dylan Conway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book that should be mandatory leaving the military.

[Sian Ballantyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

An openness difficult to find can be found in these pages. Honest, real and all the more beautiful for it.

[BrothersNBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional book that takes you on a journey from leaving military service through to finding meaning once more. Definitely recommend for anyone struggling post service life.

[Court Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helps you to navigate life after service. Finding a purpose when it seems like purpose is gone. Not just for veterans, this book stares wisdom and insight into all roles serving the community.

[Casey Blenks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I wish I had found earlier when I discharged from the Army. I think the more veterans that know about this book, the better!