The Blemished Rose

I have been inspired to write this post following a chat with other survivors about ‘turning points’ in the healing process. It is evident that turning points don’t always appear obvious at the time because it is a gradual journey, but looking back on our path we are able to see just how far we have come. In my experience, the first significant turning point was finding my voice through poetry; a gift that had remained dormant for years since I first discovered my love for it as a child. Poetry was my way of freely expressing myself and reclaiming a part of myself that had been lost for a long time. I must also mention the book ‘The Courage to Heal’ which inspired me to do written exercises and connect with my inner child. The stories included in the book by other survivors really gave me hope that I would heal and move on to a more fulfilling life. In hindsight, I can see how this was possible through years of reflection, perseverance and support. This blog has also been my wa...

I've previously written about the way that David Gray's music really helped me during difficult times. I was very fortunate to see him live in concert recently and what a great experience that was. As I watched David perform on stage, I experienced a flood of emotions and I knew that it would inspire me to write a poem. So here it is: Gray's Antidote waves of robust timbre illume the veiled depths with hints of shimmering indigo infused with limpid tears notes ripple with serenity healing noxious wounds like a brush of silken feathers that smooths each ingrained crease a storm induced crescendo eliminates the dust that settled for too long in crevices unseen while tones of thunder build and warm up frozen blues sweet aria licks give breath to the wind ‘til sombre clouds pass away ©  Paola Borella

I am honoured and very proud to have been published by Survivors' Poetry in their Poetry Express Magazine. The six poems that were selected are very poignant because I wrote them last Spring when I faced new difficulties related to my past. I had to let out my feelings and emotions and, as I have done in the past, I used poetry as a release. About Survivors' Poetry, taken from their website: Survivors’ Poetry is a national charity established in 1991 which promotes the writing of survivors of mental distress. A Survivor may be a person with a current or past experience of psychiatric hospitals, ECT, tranquillisers or other medication, a user of counselling services, a survivor of sexual abuse, child abuse and any other person who has empathy with the experiences of survivors. Here is a link to edition 44 of the magazine featuring my poems on pages 36 and 37: http://www.survivorspoetry.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/PEN44.pdf

I'm very excited about the latest anthology in which my work has been published. The title is "Journey to Crone" an anthology by UK publisher Chuffed Buff books. My poems "Venomous Vase" and "Life through My Eyes" are included in this book. I feel honoured to be included in this book by women and about women that was released for International Women's Day. I'm also very happy that my poem "Venomous Vase" was selected as this poem is related to my past. I must admit that I don't write much poetry about that time in my life any more, which I hope is a good thing. The book is available globally through Amazon or via the publisher's website Book description: Celebrating women, this collection of 108 poems by 80 women explores the theme of maiden, mother and crone. It highlights the many personal aspects of womanhood and offers fresh and thought provoking perspectives on what it means to be female.

Music has healing powers and can affect people in many ways. Oftentimes people associate songs with memories, whether they are good or bad. Sometimes a song’s lyrics can really have an impact on us and it might seem as though the song was written about a particular situation we have experienced. That’s how music connects us so much in the world. We’ve all been through different things in our lives but some of us have been through similar experiences and can empathise with one another. Music is an international language and such a great form of expression. I’ve loved music for as long as I can remember and I feel it’s really helped me in my healing process. Dance was my first way of expressing myself to music. As soon as I could walk, I would twirl around the house on my toes, and still do! I also have memories of me as a child, sitting on the swing in the garden, and making up songs. I remember how I used to imagine I was in a music video while doing it. It all progressed from there...

Wine Coffee Ice cream A conversation about Things we love In the land shaped like a boot Ping! I’m triggered Like a shoelace slapping me in the face While I could devour it for hours, It also makes me shiver as it Trickles down my throat Take it Have a gelato Eat those ice creams! Which one do you like? Leaning in the car window As though seeing off her lover She tells him what she likes

lilies floating in a pond their uniformity creates a carpet of green yet one pad has grown double the size a shade darker than its peers resembling a frog in its bloated state, thinking it’s so great two things can pass; praise or push for although lilies come in various shades and forms this one is a prince assuming a king’s role the lily must exhale warm the others with its hot air share but not gloat for a lily will not float if it’s like a balloon of lead one fine day another may be king and remind that lily of its non-regal traits, that reality awaits for the lilies it may meet as it flows upstream may also be there when it drowns