He was born in a land of great beauty and potential. But for the first fifteen years of his life, Osman Koroma saw and experienced things no child should.

Growing up in an African refugee camps, he witnessed his brothers and sisters die of starvation and was subjected to unimaginable violence-his friends and family raped and killed, or forced to rape and kill.

Now, after overcoming these great hardships, Koroma's heart still overflows with grief for the childhood he lost-in addition to overwhelming joy and gratitude for his survival and an unwavering faith in God.

These complex emotions are explored in Bleed, a deeply personal collection of poetry serving as both an outlet for the horrifying experiences of war and a celebration of Africa's unique beauty and culture.

The result is an emotional journey through some of life's most seemingly hopeless situations-and a testament to the human spirit's ability to survive despite all odds.

At times angry and mournful, triumphant and celebratory, this collection takes a look at the many different facets of life from the perspective of one man who has experienced much more than most.