All The Dark Places

by Frankie Riley

In her first collection of poetry, Frankie Riley artfully illustrates the depth of emotions we experience, through all of life’s dark and painful moments. Her writing weaves together the themes of childhood trauma, mental health, abusive relationships, and healing. Her words provide understanding and solace, through All The Dark Places.

Genres: Poetry, Self Help

163 pages, Paperback

First published June 10, 2022

About the author

Frankie is a writer, poet, and psychologist.

Author of the poetry collection 'All The Dark Places'; and 'Drowning, Resurfacing', a collection of prose and short essays on heartbreak and healing.

Her writing weaves together the themes of emotional intelligence, childhood trauma, mental health, abusive relationships, and healing.

Reviews

[mel ✧˚ · . · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I thought love was supposed to feel like home,
the safest place you could ever be.
Then why does it feel like I’m in a harsh deserted land?
A war zone, sometimes.
Always searching for a way to escape.
I hope I make it out of this alive."

[Franklyn James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

A very interesting read. My favourite line is "If you can love the wrong person so deeply, the one who caused you profound pain and misery, then imagine how much love you’re capable of feeling for the right person."

[m&gs · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

very raw collection of poetry and while many pieces did hit, overall it did feel like a mess bc some parts did genuinely feel like journal entries vs poems. which isn’t necessarily a bad thing but it felt jarring in comparison to the other parts and really started to drag but again, did love many of the pieces.

one of my favourite pieces was

maybe the reason I feel
so exhausted right now,
is not because I'm in
desperate need of sleep,
but because my mind
and soul are craving peace

[Isabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Brenda Annette · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alright, I'm going to have to be honest, I did not enjoy this book, as much as I wanted to, I really didn't fit in. I felt like it jumped one area to the next in less than a page, I had to reread and make sure I was reading the same book and not my Kindle glitching. If the book was separated its parts, then maybe? It was more of it dragging for the reader to know that we are still going, (which I get since that's basically everyone's life) but it didn't have that wow factor compared to the previous book I read. This book is great for anyone that is grieving as well as anyone suffering from depression, etc. This book just didn't cut it for me. Beautiful words and great context, but maybe next time for me.

[Ishika · Rating 5 out of 5]

You should not have to
sacrifice your values,
boundaries or inner peace
for your relationship to work.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

I understand now,
what is harder than being alone.
It's being in love with someone
who makes you feel completely alone.
They won't offer the support you need,
be a shoulder to cry on in your darkest hours,
be present through the good times and the bad.
They can't, because they don't see you.
Your feelings.
Your fears.
Your deepest desires.
What makes you cry.
What makes your soul beam with light.
I understand now,
the difference between being alone
and feeling desperately lonely.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

I know you try to bury your emotions because you're so afraid of being defined by them.
As if they are a flaw in your character, somehow.
Oh, how I wish you knew,
that they are not a part of you.
You merely experience them.
Like everything else in nature,
human emotions are beautifully dynamic.
Forever changing,
reflecting only how you feel in the present moment.
Understand that you are not a 'sad person', you're just feeling incredibly sad right now.
You are not an 'anxious person',
you just feel anxious in this stage of your life.
You are not an 'emotional person',
you simply feel your emotions more deeply than some.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

I know it sometimes hurts, to be a deep feeler.
To be consciously aware of every emotion, feeling their presence deep within your soul.
Always wearing your heart on your sleeve, afraid that it's too fragile to
be so exposed to this cruel world.

Hurt clinging to your bones after every upheaval,
wishing you could shake off the pain quicker.
It's so overwhelming, I know.

But what if I told you that it's not a curse, to be a deep feeler?
That the world needs more of what you are,
because of your capacity to process everything
around you
with such wondrous depth.
You love deeper than most.
You effortlessly see into the expanse of someone's soul,
becoming highly attuned to their emotions. Your empathy is boundless,
always showing a compassionate understanding towards others.
You see the beauty in this imperfect world. You are alive with feeling,
and that could never be a curse.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

You see someone friendly and talkative, but I'm convinced you don't like me and
I'm overthinking every word I say.

You see someone who is organised,
but I feel out of control if things are not 'right'.

You see someone who pays attention to detail,
but I fear making mistakes and being a failure.

You see someone who is hardworking,
but I'm my own worst critic and think I'll never
be good enough.

You see someone who is self-sufficient, but I'm afraid to ask for help.

You see someone who is active, always on the go,
but I can't sit and relax because overthinking haunts me.

You see someone peaceful and calm,
but there is chaos raging inside my mind.

- anxiety is invisible.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

You deserve the kind of love that makes you feel
worthy of love.
The kind of love that is patient, caring, and honest.
A love that doesn't make you think that you're asking
for too much,
or that you're too difficult to love wholeheartedly.
A love that listens and respects you.
The kind of love that fills your entire body when
they look at you.
A love that chooses you, every. single. day. through the difficult times as well as the euphoric.
You deserve the kind of love that you always give to others.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm a dreamer, I think deeply about everything.

Sometimes my mind floats in the clouds.

I'm an eternal optimist.

I cry at movies, both happy and sad.

I'm an empath, I feel everything around me.

I often feel my feelings too deeply.

I get excited by the smallest things.

I'm an introvert, I crave the quiet to recharge.

Sometimes I'm awkward and say foolish things.

I love with the entirety of my heart and soul.

And I'm finally learning to love who I am, unapologetically.

[Anastasiya M · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've been taking a bit of a break from reading modern poetry and this collection reminded me once again why the breaks are necessary. The collection aimed to explore complex emotions and experiences, but it often felt superficial and lacking in substance. Many of the poems seemed disjointed, with themes that didn’t flow well together, making it difficult to find a cohesive narrative or message. The imagery and language used felt clichéd and failed to evoke any genuine emotional response. I often found myself skimming through verses that didn’t resonate with me at all. There were moments where the potential for depth was evident, but they were overshadowed by a lack of clarity and originality. The collection didn’t leave a lasting impression on me. It felt more like an assortment of fragmented thoughts than a thoughtfully curated collection. I can't recommend it to those seeking impactful poetry.

Read more here: https://annietheinkdrinker.wordpress....

[Ellie Carter · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF - some good poetry and would be great as individual pieces, but I feel this anthology was not made with any sort of order of topics in mind. This was quite jarring as some of the influences of the poems are a little traumatic, and as you start to find comfort in a series of slightly more positive poems you find yourself staring down the barrel of another poem about abuse.

I did enjoy the poetry and it was, at times, cathartic to read. However, at the moment it is difficult to deal with the constant rollercoaster this collection set me on so I was unable to finish it. Maybe I will come back in the future.

[Lillie O’Brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like it would’ve been better to add some themes into the book as I felt like the poems were shuffled. I did relate very strongly to some of the poems though for my present life as someone with ADHD/ anxiety, childhood/ early teen years, trauma & dating experience.

One of my favourite quotes: “I see now the small moments were never small at all. These moments are joy in its simplest form. These moments give me the light on my darkest days.”

P.s. I wish I could hold younger Frankie’s hand to say everything will be okay and hope she feels like a strong and confident woman now who knows her worth. ❤️

[Sharra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was beautiful. I resonated with a lot of the author’s experiences, so much of this hit home. I loved the rawness of it. I loved that this book gives us, the reader, the permission to feel.

I disagree with the criticisms about the fact that the poems jump around from one topic or emotion to the next, and coming back to same topics again. In my experience, this is what healing feels like in real life. It is messy and convoluted. It is moments of joy mixed with deep sadness.
It feels real to organize the book this way.

Thank you Frankie Riley for offering your words to the world.

[Elizabeth Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really great collection of poems. They covered a lot of different themes a lot dealing with anxiety which was so easy to read because the author had such a great understanding of it. It wasn’t entirely heavy read either as there was some good lighthearted parts as well which I appreciated.

[Missy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate to be raised by two loving parents. However, I did marry a narcissist and was with him for 8 years. I can relate to so many of the thoughts and feelings of this author and I'm so glad I got the courage to walk away one day and now am living a beautiful life and am loved by a great man.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trauma tends to stick to your bones,
it becomes a part of you.
Sometimes you can't tell where you end,
and the pain begins.
But the goal is not to 'get over it',
it's to continue your journey in spite of it.
To embrace this new version of yourself,
so, the pain is no longer in control.
To learn how to live again,
and not just survive.

[Annasbookishthings · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5⭐️

Nach langer Zeit habe ich endlich mal wieder ein Poetry Book gelesen. In dem Buch werden Themen wie Selbstliebe, Narzissmus, Anxiety, Heilung und Depressionen thematisiert. Es gab von jedem Thema ein bisschen was. Es konnte mich unfassbar gut abholen und einige Sprüche haben mich wirklich zum nachdenken angeregt.🫶🏼

[Harmonie Benn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm big fan of poetry books and I this one is good and nice everything is very well written but sadly there's this but there's no theme , there's no specific topic to be divided into chapters it would be better if the author write a specific poetry for her childhood and the trauma lived there .. and the trauma and living in fear of relationships in a chaper

[Sarah Zerrouk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not one for reading poetry but saw this on Kindle Unlimited and was intrigued by the themes and excellent reviews.
Poet is obviously a very gifted writer and I’m sure the content would resonate with many.
I feel the formatting would work better in hard copy

[sahana · Rating 2 out of 5]

surprisingly liked this one, especially the way some of the poems were written in regards to ‘everything you feel, go through and do’ is acceptable and completely ok🥺

however more heavy on the ‘not right lover’ which I don’t relate to

[Taylor Wyall · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I keep drowning in my own thoughts. Some days, I make it to the surface, I can finally breathe, then a riptide of overthinking pulls me back under. Some days I’m treading water, then a tsunami of anxiety hits me."

[Just someone else · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good book, it explores different life experiences with which you could identify. It also has good quotes. Here is my favorite: "we dream of the things we want to achieve in life, but being afraid of failure stops us from chasing them"

[Frida Tordegård · Rating 3 out of 5]

Feelt more like a convincing letter about leaving relationships than poetry. Some are of course really beautiful.
There where also a over use of the phrase "please understand".

I would not recommend this book to others except perhaps someone who needs to leave a toxic relationship.

[iya ౨ৎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I am learning to trust the forces of the earth, to stop resisting, to allow the waves of life to pull me in any direction.
Sometimes it's confusing and scary, but I know it's taking me to where I need to be, to my true purpose that has been calling out to me all along."

❤️‍🩹

[khloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three quotes that stuck with me:
“They say it’s easy, to love. But to love, is to be fearless.”

“Sometimes the hard thing and the right thing are the same”

“What feels like the end is often the beginning.”

[Angel Boll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love

It was really good. And I could relate to it and the positive out look on it all. I recommend.

[Espie]

How do I open to read it

[Katie Rivers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely poetry book *****

[G Walshe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This feels like reading a diary. So raw and pure.

[Maddie Hinchliff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cried uncontrollably a few times. This book helped heal me a little, and break me a bit…

[sky-violet ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ · Rating 4 out of 5]

i sobbed a lot

[Archita Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book to heal yourself.

[harley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it

This book was so helpful with my anxiety which is weird because it explained my mind to a tee creepy but amazing