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Sisters of the Circle: One Woman's Journey to Wholeness

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Carol Haefner's Sisters Of The Circle: One Woman's Journey To Wholeness is an emotional and highly recommended collection of compelling free-verse poetry, embracing the power of courage, survival, and ongoing steps in the journey of life. God (2/21/02): When I think of you/I draw a blank//I try to pray/but I don't think I know how//The formula prayers I was taught in school/never touched my heart/and now seem just as cold and/lifeless as I feel//Can you answer the prayer I don't know how to pray?

In this book of poems the author, Carol, allows us to particpate in her journey of healing. Her powerful words and honest, raw emothions touched me - even though her story is not an exact match for my story. I found renewed strength in myself by reading Carols's poems of her innermost fears. I think her honesty will give anyone something to connect to and hope for.

The dedication page of Sisters of the Circle reads: "...to all who have the courage to begin the journey and find their own voice."

In this book, the author shares with the reader her process of awakening from behavior patterns that were disempowering and self-effacing. Through her own courageous process of poetic journaling, Carol has shown others a way to connect with, and give voice to, the exhilarating, frightening, and inspiring path of self-discovery.

Some of the poems are written in the mystical ecstatic surrender style of Hafiz and Rumi; others are written in a style that expresses child-like fears and wonderment; still others are frank, raw expressions of coming to terms with a woman's first intimate relationship: mother / daughter.

I have been moved by Carol's honest and bold sharing to once again reflect on my own life journey and to play, dance, laugh and cry with the joy of re-storying my impressions of self.

In the author's words: "I am not after all a stranger
But a Child of the Light."

'Sisters of the Circle' is poetry that touches the heart and cries out to the soul. When I first picked up this book, I never dreamed I would meet myself within the very first pages. But when I read Carol Haefner's introductory 'Story,' it was as if she had written about my life and my story. It took my breath away! Her courage to uncover the dark places of her life and then use her creative energy to overcome depression and despair is a model for all of us. It expecially resonates with me as I work to realize a more integrated version of myself.

Her poetry is born out of pain. But it is filled with images that affirm the wonder and magic of discovery of the true Self. Her jounrey becomes our journey.

An intriguing aspect of this book is the space she has created for each of us to explore our own dark places and then dialog with our own inner wisdom. It is an opportunity to meet our wounds face-to-face and sing our own heart song.

She has given us the gift of her anguish and struggle to encourage us to walk our own path of discovery. A difficult path to travel, but one well worth following.

I was deeply touched by this book, recognizing parts of my own journey in Carol's poems. She has put into words questions I have struggled to express, and she gives hope that answers can be found, if only we have the courage to look within ourselves. There is an uncommon strength and vulnerability reflected on these pages. I recommend this book to anyone (everyone) as a companion on their own journey; while we each may find different answers, Carol has shown that our questions are universal.