My book:
Body Becomes Hometown
This book represents so many years of hard work for me. I remember pulling together every piece of poetry I had written onto my friend's bed during the middle of the COVID pandemic in their apartment to begin my very first draft and feeling SO overwhelmed by the amount of time and energy this book would require (shout out to my friend for reminding me to drink and eat for those first few days).
I remember coming home after working all day and wanting to collapse but setting a timer for 1 hour to work on this book. I remember having a launch date and then getting very sick in 2023 and all I got done for 3 months was the front cover. I remember every round of editing with the wonderful editors who pointed out the many valid flaws in my writing. I remember showcasing my writing for the first time during my Portfolio showcase and feeling extremely overwhelmed but so very happy.
I remember the first time I posted on social media about my book and how cringey and sweaty I felt. I remember the first comment I got from someone who was touched by my poetry. I remember the kindness and patience of everyone who would stick around while I read poetry very nervously on a live.
If you had not done kind things, said kind things, and been around in real life or online - this book would still be a dream in my head and I would still be stuck in self-doubt. What I would like you to know is I would not have been able to publish this book without your kindness, your support for the things I create, and the encouragement to keep going when I did not always feel like it. These poems were written out of necessity, but I would love to to share them with you in the hope that you will feel less alone.Poetry has been my primary means of healing and expression throughout my life as I learn to tell my story. This book tells the story of how I found a sense of home and my evolution from isolation to connection with myself and the people around me. This book is paired with my photography to visualize this story.
This is not a history of how I ‘healed’, but how breaking becomes a means of continuing and how it is all I know and all I want now.I have seen my vulnerability help carry others through their healing journeys. I believe in the power of shared experiences and the mutual solace they bring.This book is for anyone looking to come back to themselves.
There is nothing to “get”, there are only the images, feelings, and memories that come back to you as you read. Let those things come to you and observe with curiosity and kindness for the stories inside of you.
Here’s to the stories that help us feel less alone.
A huge and warm thank you to you for your support and all my best,
Hannalah
You can follow me on social media to hear me perform my poems (I am learning as I go). You can check out some of my work below!