"The author reveals her unique personal experience and her own process of healing. The book helps us to better understand the process of healing and the journey to self-love. This is a must-read for anyone searching to be freed from their victim status to experience wholeness and for those who are offering any type of support to victims of trauma."

—Vanessa Bridges, Ph.D., author of Changing the Way You Change

"A profound journey of resilience, "Out of the Cocoon" is a soaring legacy of healing, strength, and the triumph of Light. . . . Her message throughout every piece is that light always wins, no matter how much darkness tries to snuff it out. There is always a soaring transformation to be found in the things that try and destroy us. . . . This collection of poems is most certainly a legacy that will inspire all who read it."

—Claudia Almendoza Alzra, Reedsy

"Esehagu relates her metaphorical journey from egg to butterfly as she overcame childhood abuse and immigrated to the U.S. from Nigeria. . . . [T]here are some luminous moments of observation . . . such moments hint at a wonderfully radical unearthing of self."

—Kirkus Reviews

"Readers receive a juxtaposition of prose followed by reinforcing poetry sections that pair personal experience with reflections on the healing process. Esehagu's message is clear: anyone can reconstruct themselves, as she did."

—Diane Donovan, Midwest Book Review