FOUR YEARS, MANY LESSONS. Local Mak Robinson published a poetry book about time spent living in Eau Claire. (Photo via Facebook)

As summer transitions to fall, a change in scenery isn’t the only change local Mak Robinson craves. Before entering a new season in her own life by moving away from her home of four years – Eau Claire – Robinson honors her time in the Valley with a self-published collection of poetry titled LIBERATING MySelf.

Written while backpacking the Minnesota Northwoods in 2021, each poem reflects her time while living in Eau Claire, offering raw, honest energy. Diving deep into her own growth process while navigating adulthood in a new place, Robinson opens her experiences, struggles, and love to the world, in hopes it connects with those who read it. “This is my life and how I perceive it and how I process it,” she said, simply. 

Published on Aug. 31, the collection honors Robinson’s journal entries-turned-poems in a timely analysis of her life thus far. “You can tell the evolution of my writing and the evolution of myself with the way I phrase things and frame things,” she said. The book covers topics such as feeling lost, finding your true self, understanding relationships that uphold you, and the pain that comes with growth. “The writing and the living took place in Eau Claire,” she started. “I needed to have this book out and published before I left.”

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The writing and the living took place in Eau Claire. I needed to have this book out and published before I left.

mak robinson

author

“There is a material freedom of, say, working remotely, or, not having rent payments for me is a big one. But, the soul freedom, feeling unburdened and free … we give that to ourselves,” Robinson said. “LIBERATING MySelf aligns with giving that soul freedom to myself.” And it is that freedom she seeks by leaving the Valley, also reflected in the birds flying on the cover, her own original photography.

“Year one to three in this place, (felt like) whatever. But year four was so impactful and I learned the extent of community,” she emphasized. “I found so much solace and sanctuary in so many of the places here … and I’m like, ‘why now?’ I feel like that’s kind of the point, though,” she said, “to experience all of these lasting connections right as you’re on your way out the door … it’s the ending of a season and the beginning of a new one.”

Get your copy of Mak Robinson’s LIBERATING MySelf at The Local Store (205 N. Dewey St., Eau Claire) or buy it through Amazon.