As a survivor of paralytic polio and childhood trauma (sexual, physical and emotional abuse at the hands of an alcoholic father and neglect from a drug addicted mother), Mary McManus has been on a healing quest. Five years ago Mary took a leap of faith leaving her award winning career as a VA social worker to heal her life. She discovered the gift of poetry in her soul. In July of 2011, Mary's dear friend and bodyworker suggested that she go home and write a beautiful poem after an intense healing breath work session. She had no idea that out of that beautiful poem, she would write her third book of inspirational poetry. In "Songs of Freedom:Poems From a Healing Odyssey," Mary takes the reader on her journey of transformation. The poems are inspired by her yoga practice and bodywork sessions as she finds her way home out of the muck and mire of trauma to a place in her soul of love, light, happiness, peace and ultimately freedom.