While working on Stories from the Front, I began to write narrative style poems to express the strong emotions that I was experiencing. My own combat and sexually related trauma triggered repeatedly as I authored the stories. Poetry became a release, a way of expressing myself, working through extremely toxic memories and a way to move beyond the pain and start to heal deeply buried wounds.

As I shared some of these early poems, I realized that my experiences were not uncommon. My poems spoke to the experiences of others, affirmed, and validated them. The power in sharing the stories was unlimited and conveyed strength in community.

It was right then that the idea for Latina Warrior (November 2023) was born. I decided I should write a more complete work, an autobiography. This way I could also focus on the joys of my life and not just the sorrows. If my initial poems could help others, then maybe the totality of my story could also inspire.

Latina Warrior is a collection of poems, prose and art that shares my journey in deeply personal, intense, explicit, sometimes humorous expression. I kept it real, there isSpanglish throughout and the signature poem, “Latina Warrior” is in both English and Spanish. I am so proud to have been able to honor my Latina culture y mi familia in Latina Warrior with several poems about growing up and our family’s traditions.

I do not shy away from the intensity of my combat, leadership, or military sexual trauma experiences. Nor do I stay away from talking about the challenges of being first generation, going through divorce, motherhood, bouts of imposter syndrome, and my PTSD journey. There is power in each story depicted.

I divided Latina Warrior into four parts: The Early Years y Familia, Military and Combat, Life after the Military, and Healing and the Road to Authenticity. It is a collaborative effort with fellow Bronze Star-decorated combat veteran, Major Christina Helferich-Polosky (US Army ret.) who takes my poetry to a whole another dimension with the diversity of her art. Everyone has a story. Latina Warrior is mine. It is the most authentic I have ever been.

Lisa Carrington Firmin is a Latina, combat vet, writer, and poet. She is the Founder/CEO of Carrington Firmin LLC providing writing and consulting services in Leadership, Veterans, Transitions, Military Sexual Trauma (MST) and Diversity and Inclusion. Her poetry is an intimate reflection into the invisible wounds of MST, PTSD, trauma, hardship, and combat.