"20 Years of Winter" is a peek into the dark side of Marie's life as a soldier. When s/he sat down to write this collection of autobiographical poetry, he/r goal was to take back he/r voice and step into the season of FREEDOM. Winter can be the most savage of the seasons. It is cold, harsh and unforgiving. During this time, life comes to a standstill, hibernating to the point of near death. Existing only deep down, away from the life-threatening conditions. This book, "20 Years of Winter" follows the author's spirit through such a season in her own life. One that rivals 20 years of ravishing winds and frigid temperatures enough to chill to the bones. A season of dark and dangerous experiences in her life, that at times took that very life from her. Her spirit candidly lives through some of the most unimaginable and horrific moments penned along these pages. This is quiet literally a survival story of one's soul that evokes the spirit of the polar bear to survive such conditions with little to no resources, the hibernating spirit of the brown bear to disassociate from moments that would otherwise split one's mind, and the cunningness of the winter hare to prove not to be such an easy prey. Marie's spirit and will, to not only survive but to fight back in a blizzard of spiritual and epic proportions is inspirational to say the least! This is an intense read for even the seasoned reader but worth every moment. The author faces the worst season of her lifetime and sets fire to the winter to give way to the spring of her own soul. ~Joe Mykut