Testimonies

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CONTENT WARNING: This content contains or explores content that touches on any of the following topics: abuse (physical, sexual, emotional, verbal); aspects of psychology and mental health and contains depictions of self harm, substance abuse, eating disorders, or suicide; swears or curses; hurtful or hateful language; discrimination (race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender orientation); aspects of pregnancy; blood, violence, assault, kidnapping, trauma, or dying. Please read or view with care.

Alyssa W.

• Artist Statement

  Reality and falsehood can become so intertwined, especially after traumatic events. Aileen is a serial killer, her first kill being in self-defense. But as she continued, her reality was soon mixed with everything you don't want it to be mixed with. She became demonized. In my 2nd poem to Elizabeth, I humanize the demon, yet another distortion of reality. I've grown up with letters to our household from her murderer and rapist. So, in Elizabeth's poem, I explored those constant pestering what ifs that so many have.

• Creative Statement

  Creativity is exploration, trying and seeing what sticks. Although I love to write the occasional poem to understand my thoughts, emotions, and own reality better, my creativity also expresses itself in STEM like clever applications of technology in everyday life or a new approach to a math problem.