Leaving the Religion of Self-Harm

Leaving the Religion of Self-Harm is a collection of poems primarily concerned with childhood trauma, mental illness, and alcoholism. These topics are often examined through the use of Judeo-Christian vocabulary and themes, thus creating the “religion,” referenced in the title. The book follows no particular trajectory, nor does it seek to answer whether leaving the “religion,” is possible. These poems only attempt to discuss the experience of acute mental illness with honesty and without fear.