"We don't lose hope-we lose the ability to see it." Depression reassures us with whispers urging isolation. It steals our reason, awareness, and sight while goading us to cut ourselves off from help. It also creates shortcuts in our brain as habits do, thus making it easier to suffer its terrible grip again. Nine years ago, desperate, my hope a thread, I sought help. Eventually I found the man who taught me how to journey towards recovery, to remain in that place, and to continue learning. This poetry collection chronicles that journey to a happier place where there's fulfillment and self-esteem amidst life's challenges. The loosely arranged collection's first and shortest part, Sadness, examines depression, abuse, heartbreak, loss, tragedy...various sources that have brought me pain over the years. Despite its dark tone I encourage its reading, for it puts what follows in context. The second part, Awareness, focuses on opening the mind, discovering truths, and altering perceptions. Part Three, Reason, explores choices, mindfulness, determination, and self-reliance. The final part, Renaissance, celebrates love, hope, creativity, thankfulness...in general, a happy life. It's my hope you'll find yourself in this collection and, if necessary, seek the road to healing. I suffered the "infinite sadness" for far too long, but assure you it's possible to escape that prison and journey to your own Renaissance.