In this poignant poem collection, a child faces extreme challenges, unable to share her secrets. Knowing she was adopted, poet Kelly often thinks of the mother who left her behind. Although she is grateful to her adopted mother, she will always wonder why her birth mother chose to give her away. As she starts school, she is unable to make good grades and even finds herself failing her classes for a reason that is not fully understood at the time: dyslexia. Words blur, lose meaning, and no advice seems to help as, by high school, she still cannot read. And perhaps worst of all, she is being abused by a man who treats their relationship as "accidental." Still, it goes on and on, tormenting her physically and mentally, destroying her sleep and self-esteem. In general, "she keeps her secret, and remains in hell." But gradually, her dyslexia is recognized. She also becomes known as a person with a high IQ, and her attacker receives the punishment he deserves.

Now a Navy Seabee veteran, Kelly has achieved many of her positive dreams for life. She has realized her youthful aspirations to interpret for the hearing impaired, and she reaches even more heights with her poetry. She rises above their power by speaking out about the deficiencies that beset her youth, doubtlessly able to help others who harbor similar secrets. Her rhythmic poems are simple yet strong, alerting the reader to experiences of a naive but perceptive child confused and confronted with questions and dilemmas that would discourage many adults. Her works vividly express her frustrations, fears, and self-doubts but offer hope for later successes. That Kelly has overcome her barriers and can convey this directly to others makes her words well worth reading and sharing.

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