One Side Inside Out

By Elizabeth Kelly

Author Elizabeth Kelly was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of twenty-one, and at the beginning of her journey, she turned to writing as a form of expression, finding herself navigating through her experiences.

Now, twenty years later, Kelly returns to writing with new perspective, seeing her own transformation and growth over the years. The shadow and shame of her disorder are gone, and she has discovered a new appreciate of process, having experienced stability and worked with doctors who have made a difference in her life. Kelly’s earlier work shows where she began, while her present-day poems focus on where she is now. The difference between the two shows that through hard work and commitment to treatment, a diagnosis of a mental disorder does not have define the person who receives it. Through her verses, Kelly hopes to shine a light on mental illness in order to increase understanding and acceptance and to banish judgment.

In this collection of poetry, one woman paints a long-term portrait of mental illness through sets of poems written twenty years apart as she moved from confusion to clarity.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Feb 27, 2019
• ISBN: 9781480874763

Elizabeth Kelly

Elizabeth Kelly was born and raised in Ontario, Canada. She moved west as a teenager and now lives in Alberta with her husband and a menagerie of pets. She firmly believes that a human can survive solely on sushi and coffee, and only her husband's mad cooking skills stops her from proving that theory.Sign up for her monthly newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/r0h6b7Check out her website at: www.elizabethkelly.caYou can email her at:[e-mail] also writes contemporary and paranormal romance under her alter-ego "Ramona Gray". Check out Ramona's books at www.ramonagray.ca

Book preview

Then

Let the Mess Rest

                        One must take small steps.

                        Will he get stepped on?

                        By me?

                        You’ve got to live your life,

                        And live it well.

                        Don’t do it for anyone.

                        Use no tunnel.

                        Do it to have fun.

When It Rains

            When it rains, it pours.

            Handy umbrella—

            Scout law: Always be prepared.

            When the sun shows its face,

            Show the world your grace.

            Once you had it all working for you,

            And now there is none.

            No one said it would be any fun.

            Just relax, and take your time.

            Go somewhere far.

            For a little while, only tell a few,

            No more than three.

            Now you have your freedom.

            Freedom rings.

            I see it in your eyes.

            You are free now, baby.

            Don’t look back.

            You are hurt and repulsed

            By bad decisions

            And all together poor behaviors.

            Take it away.

            What are you left with?

            And that’s all you really have,

            The only precious you.

            You came in alone.

            You go out alone.

            Don’t change yourself to fit some standard.

            If they can’t handle it, they don’t have to.

            If you have any unhealthy relationships,

            Get rid of them quick.

            It makes no difference who it was,

            It is no longer.

            Don’t come back until it’s safe.

            Turn your back on the ocean.

            Watch out!

            It will turn on you when you are not looking.

            Stay away from

            Dangerous surf.

            Risk, that is the game.

            Did you know you played a game

            Where you’d always win?

            That was okay; you paid.

            You hang up, child,

            Unwarranted, off guard.

            Keep shields ready and willing.

            Don’t hold them up and cover your face.

            You’re beautiful and taunted, baby; teach.

Forte for Writing

         Misunderstood when I speak.

         Take it easy.

         If you are worried,

         Please don’t bother.

         I’ll take care of myself.

         Don’t hold money over my head.

         Screw you; don’t hold it in my face.

         I can’t see; where did you go?

         You were once here.

         Now what, will I ever see you?

         Take care.

         Don’t apologize for yourself.

         And surely, don’t let anyone else.

         Be who we are, not somebody else.

         Self-love is glorious.

         Have a theme song.

         Drive to a safe place.

         Get some use out of it.

         Great advice. You know who you are; there are three.

         The same ones who know the deal.

         Have a daily achievement plan, and work toward it.

         Move.

Rebellious Actions

            I like to do things I’m not supposed to.

            Can I make it through?

            I don’t know.

            So much emotion,

            Too many feelings.

            Why do I do these things I’m not supposed to?

            Save me.

            Is that too much to ask?

            Well, screw yourself.

            Leave me alone.

            I’ll do it in solitary.

            Why do I do these things?

            I don’t know.