£5.00
175 in stock
By Colleen Lewis
ISBN: 978-1-84991-411-6
Published: 2011
Pages: 76
Key Themes: poetry, Dissociative Identity Disorder, Multiple Personality Disorder, self harm
Description
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID, formerly Multiple Personality Disorder or MPD) is the separation of self which sometimes occurs following extreme child abuse trauma. These selves are referred to as alters. Self harm often accompanies this disorder as a coping mechanism. This book is a collection of poetry written by alters the author created. Mickey, Soda, BJ, and Daniel, affectionately referred to as, “The Brothers”, share the author’s journey into wholeness. The Brothers were the most active and verbal of the alters. Their mantra, “The more silent I am, the more it is I have to say,” gives light to the author’s quiet shyness as a youth and young adult. They did have a lot to say, and it is voiced here in “Like Shattered Glass.”
About the Author
Colleen Lewis, developed Dissociative Identity Disorder at a very young age. She engaged in self-harm, mostly cutting, for 38 years. She had many alters, but recently integrated with them, thus becoming one. She refers to her DID system as “Brothers and Others”. Her alters include both male and female personalities. Her alters helped her survive for nearly half a century. Through her writing, Colleen hopes to increase awareness and understanding of Dissociative Identity Disorder and self-harm and remove the stigma attached to them. Born in Rochester, New York, she now lives in Colorado in the United States.
Book Extract
NO WORDS
There are no words
to tell you how I feel
because I don’t know
I don’t feel real.
The tears won’t come
when I want them to,
like right now
with my heart broken in two.
I want to cry now
but my eyes, they are dry
I again feel mechanical
and like I want to die.
How could they do that
when I was in such pain?
Everyone I ever loved has left me
I will never understand.
I do not have the words to tell you
the pain I feel inside.
Not a single word to tell you
of my feelings that have died.
DON’T CRY, ANGEL
Don’t cry, angel,
we are ever near.
We hold the pain you feel inside.
We know you’re full of fear.
But listen to me, little one,
hear the words I say.
After the darkest, blackest night,
always comes the day.
Together we can get through this.
Hand-in-hand we will survive.
Don’t look at us as monsters.
We are what has kept you alive.
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Sandy Marthaler (verified owner) –
Compelling, captivating, intriguing and heart searing — this book of amazing poems will leave you wanting more. My favorites are “6 Breman Street” and “True Beauty”. Colleen writes “My voice will be heard near and far and finally I’ll have won”. When you read this you really want her “to win”! Like Shattered Glass is an beautiful work of art! A must read for everyone! Help Colleen win!