WRITING for Collie poet Daniella Rochford is a cathartic experience.
"When I write something that's poetic it automatically captures my heart because I can, in some way, relate to it," she said.
Rochford's biggest influence has been the Scottish Enlightenment poet Robert Burns.
She is currently finishing her autobiography titled A Child of an Orphan.
"It speaks about grow ing up with a parent that was part of the stolen generation.
"It's a story about my mother being a victim as well as me being a victim of my mother.
"But it's also a triumphant story that talks about me being able to break the cycle of abuse and not pass it on to my children."
Rochford hopes her book will be released by Broome-based publisher Magabala Books and be on shelves by early next year.
She runs free workshops to anyone who is interested in learning to write poetry and can be contacted through Twitter or Facebook.
"I'm more than willing to help people express themselves through poetry," she said.
Rochford thinks poetry can be more emotive than prose in a novel.
"There is a lot of emotion behind it and it is good for people who find it difficult to express themselves openly.
"I think the thing with poetry is that there are no barriers.
"You can deliver your speech through it for those who are quite timid and shy, who aren't used to opening up."
One of Rochford's most recent poems is dedicated to an old friend of hers who she reconnected with after 22 years.
She found out that he had leukaemia and had gone into remission.
"It blew me away because we don't know what other people are going through.
"Only until people really express themselves is when we can begin to understand."
The poem demonstrates Rochford's attempt at trying to comprehend her friend's difficult position.
"He told me how he felt and how it hurt his family.
"They were heartbroken and so with those few words I created a poem to help raise awareness for leukaemia patients."
For more information on how to donate go to leukaemia.org.au.
The Enemy Within
Layers of this sickness is now rearing
My head confused emotions now stirring
Sun is shining but my clouds are grey
Resides inside me I don't want it to stay
The chills and hot flushes inside I feel
Foreseeing death in the eye becomes real
Sleep overtakes my body with intensity
As my frail soul surrender to it's gravity
A blanket of gloom swallows me up
As I drink from this cancerous cup
My blood carries this poisonous bug
You cannot shake it off with a shrug
This pain is like hot burning embers
Burning deep within my bone marrows
Drugs are slow like snails on the grass
Will the anecdote restore my health fast
My family with aches in their hearts
My support in case i fall apart
Keen to rewind my past like a tape
I wouldn't have to beg for escape
An ailing affliction afflicts my soul
Trying to take over my life as a whole
As I grapple with this beast inside
Never ending like the waves of the tide
An innocent victim to this crime
Yet I still suffered the time
It charged at me like a raging bull
This disease gave me payment in full
Not prejudice against colour or race
It sneaks up on you with style grace
Pulling me in for a sheltered snug
I welcome remission with a warm hug
