Brittany Manning’s poetry book “Sunflower” can be found on Amazon for $10 at https://tinyurl.com/manningsunflowerbook . (Contributed Photo)

Carthage poet Brittany Manning is now a published author with her new book about love, grief and mental health, entitled “Sunflower.” These poems highlight challenges faced in relationships as well as within the self.

Manning’s passion for writing started with the simple act of journaling. Manning experienced challenges in her teenage years, “and it just kind of led me to journal, and before I knew it, I was writing poetry,” says Manning.

A caregiver for her mother and brother, she also works for PACE Opportunities in Longview. Manning says that her mother and grandmother inspired her in life and poetry.

“They were always there for me,” she said.

“Sunflower” is full of poetry relatable to many readers, especially women. With themes of self-improvement and encouragement, poems like Manning’s “Self to Self” are free-form, empowering, prose that almost reads like a letter. She dives deep into the foundations of ideas like self-love.

“I tell my story through my poetry… I write from my heart,” she says.

“’Sunflower’ is about a book of poem’s that explores the mind of a woman who has turned her deeply felt emotions into poetry. I’d like to think that women are like Sunflowers. Tall, strong and sturdy. Beautifully bright on the outside and a little dark prickly on the inside,” Manning writes in her book description online. “Being strong in today’s world is an understatement. We all could use a little space of our own away to protect our sanity.”

She hopes her poems are relatable to others.

“I know there’s someone out there that is just like me, that that you know writes poems or feels the way that I feel,” says Manning.

Ultimately, she hopes the book inspires readers and offers encouragement to those who need it.

Manning’s 75-page poetry book “Sunflower” can be found online at racquelbpoetry.wixsite.com/official or purchased on Amazon for $10 at https://tinyurl.com/manningsunflowerbook .

On Facebook, Manning keeps readers updated with quotes, poems, and events on her page: Racquel B. Poetry.

To contact Manning directly, email her at BrittanyManningMAA@gmail.com .