Community Corner
Overcoming Abuse, Depression Through Poetry Is Author's Goal
Poet Emelia Edwards of St. Petersburg reminds those in dark times they don't last forever in her new book, "How I Survived."
ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Sometimes in life, we all need to be reminded that dark times don't last forever. Emelia Edwards, 20, of St. Petersburg — a survivor of sexual abuse and depression — is sharing the light through her self-published poetry book, "How I Survived."
Many people have experienced the inescapable teenage tumult of rejection, family issues, sad times and uncertainty, and Edwards shares her personal experiences surrounding those issues to help others know that they are not alone.
"I would just like for my book to be in the hands that it's meant to be in," Edwards told Patch. "I don't care if a thousand people buy my book. I care about that one person buying it, and whether or not they get something from it and are able to look at the poems and really realize that they are not the only one going through hard times. That there is hope and there is light."
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"Celebrating You" is one of Edwards' poems that is an example of developing self-love, and she believes it will encourage others to turn their hopelessness into hopeful.
The poem is about Edwards' journey of learning not to fear birthdays and holidays. Growing up, she had bad experiences on holidays instead of love and light.
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Edwards said she started writing poetry in high school, and this is what brings her through the difficult times in life.
A goal she has is to speak at local high schools to urge students to overcome the fear of speaking up about abuse when they are aware one of their classmates experiences it. Teenagers need to know it doesn't make you a bad person or mean anything is wrong with you if you experience depression.
She has shared her testimony at Allendale United Methodist, where she also found love and light through her adopted family in 2019.
Edwards said she experienced sexual abuse and depression when she was a teenager.
"How I Survived" is available for purchase on Amazon.
If you are experiencing sexual abuse, suicidal thoughts or depression, there is help listed below:
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