Amidst a Breakdown by Aiyana DeNoyelles

This is a brave poetry collection so open, honest and the way poetry should be, embracing every emotion and sharing them in words to help console others and for us to relate to. Some stand out poems of this collection to me were: Stolen Childhood, a poignant poem how life can feel frozen and lacking progression in the aftermath of growing up in a way different to your peers Alone, talks of how we walk beside each other with our own personal battles within that we can only find peace from in sleep. Overthinking and Sadness, these were two poems about the power others have to hurt us and the painful aftermath of situations remaining with us. Is This Meant To Be Fun, about how people come into and then leave our lives and how it is never fun but usually painful in the aftermath of learning to cope and heal from the loss of someone still alive just no longer by our side. Belong, was a great poem of the way naturally things we observe and take for granted just naturally belong and exist, the beauty of the every day world surrounding us we can often overlook. My Favourite and Trust So Fragile, were two tender soul deep poems about trusting someone so deeply and being everything to you, trusting and loving them as a friend or partner. I Don't Wish You Well, was so relatable in how sharing your favourite band with someone can taint the band forever to you, taking more joy from your life after a split too as their music forever reminds you of the other person. Longing To Be A Priority, how you trust others to be let down time and time again, never a priority, just an option or a maybe. I Couldn't Forget If I Wanted To, about nature reminding you of lost one's and the lingering feelings. Anxieties Grasp, was such a relatable poem if you've ever struggled with panic attacks or anxiety, especially out in public and feeling the need to hide urgently to try to cope and control your mind's spiral. A collection of so many tender life moment's captured, discussed and shared, raw, honest and emotionally open as poetry allows us the freedom to be, a fantastic collection.