when i say i’m ok
Written in the aftermath of betrayal, Dead Inside reflects on the painful realization that love can leave invisible fractures long before the heart finally breaks. Rather than chasing temporary distractions, the poem turns inward—finding healing through creativity, new routines, and the difficult work of rebuilding a life from the pieces.
sleep deprived
Sleep Deprived captures the strange intersection of physical fatigue, anxiety, and determination. Styled as a vintage medical blueprint, the poem traces the body’s aches and the mind’s relentless persistence through sleepless nights, reminding us that survival is sometimes found in simply taking the next breath.
four leaf clover
Four Leaf Clover is a heartfelt reflection on mental illness, survival, and the freedom found in self-acceptance. Through symbols of rainbows, lucky clovers, music, and personal transformation, this illustrated poem embraces resilience, creativity, and the quiet pride of becoming someone who genuinely loves the person staring back in the mirror.
scars
Healing often begins with choosing not to reopen old wounds. Scars reflects on self-awareness, recovery, and the quiet strength found in accepting imperfection, reminding us that not every scar needs to disappear to become beautiful.
decompose
A symbolic journey through emotional exhaustion, nature, and hope. This traditional noir visual poem reflects on the weight of modern life while finding beauty in forests, wilted roses, birds, and the quiet resilience of simply continuing forward.
egg
A symbolic noir journey through memory, intuition, and self-forgiveness. Birds, broken glass, lightning, and a fractured Easter egg heart illuminate a path back to oneself in this original poem and artwork by The Ivory Rose.