reading inward was a ceremony

inward is unlike anything i have ever read before. it is a deeply intimate work, written in such an exquisitely raw and powerful way that the reader is pulled into its world and invited to embark on an inner journey of their own.

for me, reading inward was a ceremony. the privilege to read the manuscript came at a time when i was emerging from a period of stress and grief and coming to terms with the health issues of an ageing parent. it felt like erin’s poetry let me dive into an archetypal journey that somehow facilitated an embodiment of all that i had been experiencing. it gave clarity and form to something that had been an entanglement of emotions and a struggle to sit with the unknown. i still can’t quite put into words what happened within me while reading, but it was profound, and i am immensely grateful.

erin’s poetry can be felt in every layer of one’s being — and that, in itself, is such a gift. when it’s combined with the clear structure (descent, crucible, union, return, coda) and an introduction to each section, it becomes a roadmap, a guide and an inspiration.

inward is such a refined piece of art. and the beauty is that the precision of its creation allowed me to relax, trust, and surrender. it is rare to encounter a work that feels so balanced and whole while remaining so deeply alive, vulnerable and transformative.

reflection by sari hanski, finland