Beneath The Shade: The Poetic Self-Discoveries and Realizations of a Fellow Human, is a thought provoking collection of poetry. The author encourages readers to fearlessly delve deep within themselves; unearthing discomforts, exploring the intangible, and becoming acutely self-aware. The author believes that if there is one person that you MUST be honest with every day of your life; it is yourself. Immerse yourself in this compilation of poems and do not be afraid to face your internal truths; no matter how intimidating they might be.
Beneath The Shade: The Poetic Self-Discoveries and Realizations of a Fellow Human, is a thought provoking collection of poetry. The author encourages readers to fearlessly delve deep within themselves; unearthing discomforts, exploring the intangible, and becoming acutely self-aware. The author believes that if there is one person that you MUST be honest with every day of your life; it is yourself. Immerse yourself in this compilation of poems and do not be afraid to face your internal truths; no matter how intimidating they might be.
HI, I’M PEARL-CATHERINE.
Existing used to be easier when I was ignorant (well…at least I thought). The overwhelming truths of humanity did not negatively impact the mind of someone who was too young to even care to understand. I yearned for the independence that accompanied adulthood, now I crave the innocence that preceded it. I have been educated and I am grateful for knowledge. However, I despise this information. I have discovered that strategically hidden are fictitious events; fabrications that have been formulated to control the souls of the desperate. Along with lies that encapsulate the thoughts of the narrow-minded; of those who do not care to know better. I used to bask in my ignorance; I enjoyed seeking refuge in Lala Land. But currently I sit here writing—informed, nervous, and sure of only one thing that I want out of my existence…and that is to interlace my thought processes with yours.
What is your introduction?
Think about your daily transfers and exchanges of energy with those around you. When your name leaves the lips of another human, what defining words or phrases do you feel would follow? These descriptions in which YOU have thought of…are they in alignment with how you TRULY convey yourself to your fellow residents of Earth?
Simply for a few minutes, or however long it may take, be honest with yourself and answer this: WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU? Take the time to answer that question before you continue to read. Engage in some moments of introspection and take notes on the following page about your inner discoveries. Introspection consists of a deep self-analysis of your thoughts, emotions and actions. Bring your deepest fears, discomforts, and desires to the surface. Try to work through the difficulties and manifest the positives into the physical world. This may be intimidating to do if you have never really taken the time to deeply analyze your mind. Essentially, try your best to truly understand yourself.
Finally, this book is a compilation of poems in which I have written over several years. Some of these poems have been re-written many times, as they have transformed with me while I journey through life. These are the inner workings of my brain for you to read. I truly hope these resonate with you <3
your transparency may be the source of someone’s awakening
-p.c.
1
in the stillness;
only in the most serene
of environments
can an oyster produce
the most valued component
of its existence
-pearl
2
canvassing your thoughts;
exploring the dark burrows
of your mind
can be intimidating.
the fear of evoking memories
which have been dormant for years
is not irrational,
but you want to continue
to keep a peaceful mind.
so you continue to suppress
for the sake of your well-being.
but you are also obsessive;
….so you continue to explore
and find what you didn’t want to.
-enter at your own risk
3
everything
about who you are,
before you knew
who you were;
exists within the confines
of your physical being.
venture inward;
embrace the stillness
of isolation and find solace
within the intricacies
of your individuality.
….familiarize yourself
with yourself.
-soulitary confinement
4
she was choosing not to drown
in the high-frequency beta waves
emitted by her brain
as she swam amongst the depths of her consciousness;
in search of the beauty
in understanding
her characteristic flaws.
-without a life jacket
5
we visit dark places
often by ourselves,
so others wouldn’t know
about our daily visits.
it is in these moments of darkness
where there is no difference;
between eyes wide open or tightly shut…
your retinas adjusting to the absence of hope.
-insufficient lighting
6
clarity is what the mind craves
when it is constantly fed
with information of your
inabilities and inadequacies;
which are reinforced
by your struggles and questionable failures.
concern of your earthly contributions
is the spine of your inquisitiveness.
the act of wondering
is your most hated
yet,
time consuming pastime.
you hunger for clarity;
but you are a few cents short
of what it costs to know
….so you rummage.
-spare change?
7
i didn’t know
where my mind
was taking me,
but i knew
i no longer belonged here.
-realization
8
pack up your heaviest thoughts
and catch the next flight to infinity.
do not return
until you have located your serenity.
-ticket for one
9
you thought it would be easy
to remove yourself
from the vulnerable space;
where insecurities formulate emotional catastrophes.
but you have equated
what you think is love
with a vital organ;
misinformed that your survival
is contingent
upon one word;
you must relinquish yourself
of the tendency
to be weak-minded.
-the great escape
A beautiful collection of poems that take you on a journey beneath the shade / surface of what it is to be a human being.
Each poem elegantly stands on its own; mirroring a chapter of both the beauty and the pain we all go through as part of our human experiences. Then, the poems appear to have skillfully been brought together to form the whole story, a full novel in which the main character could have been anyone, uniting all readers in their common emotions as – together – we navigate ourselves through pain, love, heartbreak, openness, isolation, injustice, and discrimination, until we get to self-awareness through self-love, the only way for someone to truly heal and be able to let go and move on.
This book of poetry partly feels like an auto-biography of mankind, partly feels like a self-help book for mankind. Not only do the poems portray experiences honestly, but they offer advice and showcase strength, moving on, and self-discovery in a way that feels almost therapeutical as if you’re in a therapy session finally coming to terms with the truths you need to hear.
I recommend this collection to anyone who wants the value of a full story artistically written in prose.