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Treasuring Poetry – Meet poet and blogger Carol Anne

Posted: May 13, 2026 | Author: | Filed under: Book Review, Books, Interview, Review, Treasuring Poetry | Tags: , , , , |54 Comments

Today I am delighted to introduce you to poet and blogger Carol Anne from Therapy Bits blog. Carol Anne writes beautiful and thought provoking poetry as well as posts providing insight into living with dissociative identity disorder, complex PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder.

Welcome Carol Anne

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to write poetry. What does your poetry mean to you?

My name is Carol Anne, it is a pen name, I’m 46, and I live in Ireland. I have always been a writer, from a very young age, I wrote poetry. I am a child abuse survivor, I am also diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder, complex PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder. I am also blind.  I write mostly to raise awareness of dissociative identity disorder, complex PTSD, and blindness, I’ve also written a lot of poems about healing after child abuse.  My poetry is partly my therapy, it helps me to cope.

What is your favourite style of poetry to read?

I love reading free verse, senryu’s, haiku’s, and basically any poem that the writer has shared, it is the raw emotion in the poetry that I love to read about.

Share your favourite poem in your favourite style by another poet.

“Hope” is the thing with feathers

“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all –

And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard –
And sore must be the storm –
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm –

I’ve heard it in the chillest land –
And on the strangest Sea –
Yet – never – in Extremity,
It asked a crumb – of me.

Emily Dickenson

What is your favourite of your own poems and why?

My favourite poem is I am a puzzle. Here it is. It describes what living with dissociative identity disorder is like.

I Am A Puzzle by Carol Anne

I am a puzzle

with pieces that don’t fit

every way you try

you will get nowhere with it

the whole picture is not shown

on the box or it’s lid

and I hate to tell the truth

I’ve been this way since I was a kid

Absorbed in the puzzle

I lose all track of time

Anxiety over takes me

As though I’ve committed a crime

Is it wrong to be more than one

The puzzle pieces scatter on the floor

As I turn over the table and run for the door

I am running scared,

trying to get away

the pieces fall to the ground

and stay where they lay

some of the pieces overlap

while others are alone

when I look at the pieces

I am chilled to the bone

How will I ever put together

All that is broken

When all I have to go on

Are secrets that are spoken

These are my only clues

to the misfit puzzle pieces here

and I am half way out the door

denial in it’s most sincere

Left on the floor in disarray

The pieces try to call to me

I turn my back on them

Why can’t they just leave me be

I walk back to the table

And turn it right side up

I gather all the puzzle pieces

Making my hand like a cup

They shower down onto the table

And I vow to give it one more try

But I don’t know where to begin

I can only ask why

July 2013

Why do you blog? What is your favourite thing about blogging?

I blog to raise awareness of mental health, disability, and to help myself to release my feelings. Blogging has connected me with lots of people from all around the world, that is one reason I love it, also, I love to get feedback on my writing.

What’s next for Carol Anne?

I’m in the process of collecting some of my poems and putting them into a book. I’d also like to work more on writing some fiction, I do write fiction, but I feel I need more practice at it.

About Carol Anne

Picture caption: Carol Anne with her dog – photograph from Instagram

This is Carol Anne’s introduction on her blog:

Hi

My name is Carol anne.  I am part of a did system. Did stands for dissociative identity disorder.  I also have PTSD posttraumatic stress disorder. I was diagnosed with did in December 2010.

I have been blind since birth. I am 35 years old.

This is a blog about my life, it will mainly focus on therapy and the process of going through psychotherapy, but I will also post some stuff about my life.

I am in college studying IT.  It has its challenges but overall I love it.

Blog: https://therapybits.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carolanne.johnsonmunchy

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manyofus40/

About Robbie Cheadle

Picture caption: Robbie Cheadle author picture

South African author and illustrator, Robbie Cheadle, has written and illustrated sixteen children’s books, illustrated a further three children’s books, and written and illustrated three poetry books. Her work has also appeared in poetry and short story anthologies.

Robbie also has two novels and a collection of short stories published under the name of Roberta Eaton Cheadle and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.

You can find Robbie Cheadle’s artwork, fondant and cake artwork, and all her books on her website here: https://www.robbiecheadle.co.za/

________________________

Did you know you can sponsor your favorite blog series or even a single post with an advertisement for your book? Stop by the WtbR Sponsor Page and let me advertise your book, or you can make a donation to Writing to be Read for as little as a cup of coffee, If you’d like to show your support for this author and WordCrafter Press.

__________________________

This segment of “Treasuring Poetry” is sponsored by WordCrafter Press and the Poetry Treasures series.

Get Your Copy Today!

Poetry Treasures: https://books2read.com/PoetryTreasures

Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships: https://books2read.com/PT2-Relationships

Poetry Treasures 3: Passions: https://books2read.com/u/b5qnBR

Poetry Treasures 4:In Touch With Nature: https://books2read.com/PT4-Nature

Poetry Treasures 5: Small Pleasures: https://books2read.com/PT5-SmallPleasures

Poetry Treasures 6: Seasons: https://books2read.com/PT6Seasons

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54 Comments on “Treasuring Poetry – Meet poet and blogger Carol Anne”

  1. Treasuring Poetry – Meet poet and blogger Carol Anne – Robbie's inspiration says:
    May 13, 2026 at 2:14 am

    […] Treasuring Poetry – Meet poet and blogger Carol Anne […]

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. Carol anne's avatar Carol anne says:
    May 13, 2026 at 2:22 am

    Thanks for having me Robbie! I am delighted to be featured today! ❤

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  3. poetisatinta's avatar poetisatinta says:
    May 13, 2026 at 2:43 am

    what a great interview- and I love the picture of Carol anne and her dog 🩷

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  4. V.M.Sang's avatar V.M.Sang says:
    May 13, 2026 at 2:48 am

    Thanks for introducing us to Carol Anne. Her poem on dissociative identity disorder is really moving, and I also love the Emily Dickenson one, too.

    I’m going to look up more of Carol Anne’s poetry and investigate her blog.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  5. beth's avatar beth says:
    May 13, 2026 at 3:10 am

    congrats, carol and nice to learn more about you

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  6. Dave Astor's avatar Dave Astor says:
    May 13, 2026 at 4:18 am

    A great interview, Robbie. Carol Anne, your poetry is exceptional.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  7. Unknown's avatar Reblog: Treasuring Poetry – Meet poet and blogger Carol Anne #treasuringPoetry, #DID, #PSTD, #Poems, #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth – Patty's Worlds says:
    May 13, 2026 at 5:16 am

    […] https://writingtoberead.com/2026/05/13/treasuring-poetry-meet-poet-and-blogger-carol-anne/ […]

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. shehannemoore's avatar shehannemoore says:
    May 13, 2026 at 5:21 am

    What a great interview. So inspiring. AND with two beautiful poems.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  9. Cindy Georgakas's avatar Cindy Georgakas says:
    May 13, 2026 at 5:29 am

    What a great share! I so admire Carol Anne for all she has done to heal and her amazing poetry and kindness to everyone. Great interview, Robbie♥️🤗!!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  10. Erika's avatar Erika says:
    May 13, 2026 at 8:57 am

    Thank you for featuring Carol Anne. She is such a lovely soul.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  11. thomasstigwikman's avatar thomasstigwikman says:
    May 13, 2026 at 11:57 am

    I have some of Carol Anne’s posts and she writes beautiful poetry. Emily Dickinson’s poem above is beautiful and poignant and Carol Anne’s poem that followed is also beautiful and poignant. She is struggling with a lot and she is very brave. It was a very interesting interview and I learned a lot about Carol Anne that I did not know. I loved the photo of Carol Anne with her dog. I wish Carol Anne all the best with her upcoming book.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  12. Liz Gauffreau's avatar Liz Gauffreau says:
    May 13, 2026 at 12:14 pm

    I’ve seen Carol Anne’s comments on blogs, but I didn’t know who she was. Thank you for the introduction!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  13. T. W. Dittmer's avatar T. W. Dittmer says:
    May 13, 2026 at 12:35 pm

    It’s good to learn about Carol Anne, read her great poetry and see that lovely picture of her with her dog, Robbie.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  14. Author Jan Sikes's avatar Author Jan Sikes says:
    May 13, 2026 at 1:24 pm

    I enjoyed meeting Carol Anne, Robbie. Thank you for the introduction. I admire the way this poet has turned tragedies into something positive through her writing. I loved I Am A Puzzle!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  15. memadtwo's avatar memadtwo says:
    May 13, 2026 at 7:30 pm

    I enjoy Carol Anne’s poems and it’s good to learn more about her. I love that Dickenson poem too. (K)

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  16. Annette Rochelle Aben's avatar Annette Rochelle Aben says:
    May 14, 2026 at 7:28 am

    Carol Anne! Such a compassionate, beautiful, talented woman. I enjoy not only her blog, but her most appreciated support of my blog and efforts. HUGE hugs to you, Robbie, for featuring her here. HUGE hugs to Carol Anne for sometimes stepping out of her box, and other times, inviting us into hers.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  17. crazy4yarn2's avatar crazy4yarn2 says:
    May 14, 2026 at 3:25 pm

    Great interview!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  18. beetleypete's avatar beetleypete says:
    May 15, 2026 at 7:38 am

    Good luck to Carol-Anne with her new compilation of poems once the book is published. I have shared this post on Twitter, Robbie.

    Best wishes, Pete.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  19. Resa's avatar Resa says:
    May 17, 2026 at 10:49 am

    Excellent.

    Thank you for writing, Carol Anne. I adore your poem and the Dickenson one you selected.

    Thank you Robbie and Kaye Lynne for hosting Carol Anne here today! ❦❦

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  20. Dawn Pisturino's avatar Dawn Pisturino says:
    May 18, 2026 at 2:17 pm

    Thank you for sharing this!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  21. dgkaye's avatar dgkaye says:
    May 18, 2026 at 6:31 pm

    It was so nice to learn about Carol Ann and her lovely poetry. 🥰

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  22. Darlene's avatar Darlene says:
    June 12, 2026 at 12:28 pm

    A great interview with Carol Anne. Her poetry is amazing and powerful.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  23. rothpoetry's avatar rothpoetry says:
    June 13, 2026 at 3:44 pm

    I Love Carol Anne’s poetry! She is amazing in the way she describes things as though she can see them. Her sharing is raw and powerful as she tells of trauma and recovery. She is a wonderful writer.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

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