Surfacing - Boyce, Matthew

. .

Résumé :
Surfacing is a collection of poetry that explores the complex emotions following narcissistic abuse and the journey towards healing and recovery. The author, using his own personal experiences, delves deep into the feelings of anger, bitterness, and self-loathing that come with this horribly traumatic circumstance. Throughout this process, the author discovers a richer and deeper faith through reliance on God, illustrating the almost palpable shift in his recovery process. Through a series of poignant reflections, the author highlights the internal struggles of those (particularly men, who are oft forgotten in this discussion) who have experienced abuse, such as dealing with guilt and anxiety, while attempting to inspire hope and resilience in the face of trauma. The poems in this collection oscillate from visceral to cerebral, as they guide readers through the author's darkest moments of pain and into the light of renewed faith and forgiveness. Surfacing is a brief personal memoir that provides only a snapshot of the vast spectrum of emotions one experiences as a result of narcissistic abuse. The poems are straight-forward in their execution compared with other poets who obscure their meaning behind walls of ambiguity. Eschewing that convention here, the author is able to create poetry that is accessible to a wider audience. The resulting message to readers who share similar stories is clear: You are not alone....