From the Ashes

If you've ever experienced domestic abuse, particularly in its less understood forms, then you know how isolating this experience can be and how hard it is to move on. The poems you'll find in this collection are written from lived experience and will leave you feeling seen, held and understood.

Written for, and in collaboration with, survivors, From the Ashes stands out as a uniquely creative approach to healing the hearts of those affected by domestic abuse.

Rachael B. transforms these women's stories into accessible poetry that recognises and empathises, at every stage of your healing journey. The collection includes composite poems made up of survivors' own stories, poetry written by survivors and pieces that have taken the words of individual women's experiences and woven them into poetic stories. You may recognise your own journey in these words, as they remind you that you are not alone in your experiences, and empower you to move from 'victim' to survivor.

"We meet ourselves in each other and re-learn who we are. We lift each other up, and remember that we are all made of stars." (c) Rachael B.

Passionate about recognising the complex journey many women take, Rachael has separated this collection into four parts:

Why does she stay? recognises the complexity of these relationships and witnesses the many reasons women might remain in them,

Losing herself charts the journey of those who slowly lose their sense of self,

Finding strength illustrates the path from victim to survivor; from 'less than' to 'enough', and

Reclaiming our power encourages women to redefine what power means to them and embrace their own as part of the healing journey.

Covering all forms of abuse, from the intimate partner violence that most first think of when they hear the term 'domestic abuse', to the more insidious forms of emotional and psychological abuse such as coercive control and post-separation abuse, this collection will:

Remind you that you are not alone

Recognise your experience, without judgement

Support you in navigating your healing journey from victim to survivor

Serve as a resource to help others better understand the complexity of the abuse you have experienced.

Healing begins with feeling seen. Read a sample and rediscover your light.

Rachael has been writing poetry for as long as she can remember. It's her favourite medium as a writer because she has found it to be the quickest way to speak directly to the inner wisdom we all have. She hopes that this book will empower those women who need it and facilitate understanding in anyone who picks it up.