With nature as solace and love as compass, The Corpse of Who I Used to Be traces a whimsical path from self-deprecation to self-acceptance. Charming, quirky, and refreshingly authentic, this poetry collection from Hannah Mosing, author of Fragile Heart, explores the relentless tug-of-war with anxiety and depression, the ever-present ache of grief, and the quiet triumph of learning to peacefully inhabit one’s own body and mind.
Here, the body becomes both battleground and sanctuary, and vulnerability becomes a superpower. The verses within these pages illuminate the complexity of living with a restless mind while still reaching for joy, connection, and peace. Through chrysalis and rebirth, this collection contemplates what it means to shed old skins and courageously step into becoming, never losing sight of the beauty and chaos of becoming unapologetically human.
These poems find comfort in wild places and simple pleasures: a patch of sunlight, a shared glance, the sacredness of togetherness. At the heart of this collection is a testament to the playful presence and quiet devotion of love, wherein a gentle touch or a glimpse of beauty can transform even the most mundane moments into something extraordinary.
With equal parts candor, tenderness, and wit—and the occasional note of self-loathing reclaimed from the trash bin and refashioned into self-love—Hannah Mosing’s poetry invites readers to embrace imperfection; to see the beauty in the ordinary, in the chaos, in themselves. This is an ode to self-discovery, upheld by the radical act of choosing to value ourselves as we are, flaws and all.
The Corpse of Who I Used to Be is for anyone learning to navigate life’s messiness with courage—and a little humor—while seeking to live gently with themselves. At once vulnerable and powerful, this remarkable collection is both mirror and lantern—reflecting our struggles while lighting the way toward radical self-acceptance.
