How to Escape a Burning House

In How to Escape a Burning House, poet Eileen Lawrence transforms personal trauma into a powerful beacon of hope for women everywhere. This unflinching poetry collection chronicles a mother's journey from the suffocating silence of emotional abuse through the upheaval of divorce to the hard-won triumph of healing and self-discovery.

With raw honesty and lyrical beauty, Lawrence reveals the hidden costs of toxic relationships-the gradual erosion of self-worth, the crushing weight of depression, and the desperate measures we take to preserve what we think is love. From the haunting "Secret I Keep From Myself" to the liberating title poem, each verse maps the treacherous terrain between staying trapped and breaking free.

These aren't just poems about survival-they're blueprints for transformation. Lawrence writes with the wisdom of someone who has walked through fire and emerged with wings. Her butterfly metaphor weaves throughout the collection, reminding readers that even the most profound darkness can give birth to unexpected beauty.

For mothers feeling isolated in their struggles, women questioning their relationships, or anyone seeking to understand the complex dynamics of emotional abuse, this collection offers both mirror and map. The narrator's voice shifts from whisper to roar as she reclaims her story, showing that sometimes breaking apart is the only way to become whole.

The poems navigate universal themes-motherhood, identity, mental health, and resilience-while maintaining their deeply personal authenticity. From the frozen landscapes of winter to the sanctuary of a new apartment, from sleepless nights with crying babies to joyful playground moments with children, Lawrence creates a complete emotional geography of leaving and rebuilding.

This book speaks directly to the millions of women who have felt erased in their own relationships, who have wondered if they're asking for too much when they ask to be seen and valued. With courage and compassion, How to Escape a Burning House lights the way toward freedom, self-acceptance, and the radical act of choosing yourself.

Perfect for readers of poetry collections about trauma recovery, survivors of abuse, single and married mothers, and anyone seeking authentic stories of transformation and healing.