Internal Storm
By Rizouana Prome
Discussed: mental illness
This poem explores the feeling of neglecting different parts of your personality to achieve a certain goal, yet feeling incapable of doing so.
A sudden storm took over me The type I never knew existed It made my world dark and gloomy Swept away my most memorable memories As I tried to survive I forgot the sunny days I forgot the cherry blossoms I forgot the sound of stepping on fall leaves I forgot the touch of people I forgot me myself and I At times it disappears I dream for a while Hoping things would fall into place Just then it presents itself Stronger than ever I seek shelter Try to find comfort Until I realize it’s inside Gradually uprooting me
Girls Write Now On the Other Side of Everything: The 2023 Anthology
Do you know what it’s like to communicate with your family across a salty ocean’s divide? Do you want the sun and moon to enter your home with stories written in embers? Do you seek voices that will punctuate the darkness? Welcome to the other side of everything. It’s the other side of silence, the other side of childhood, the other side of hate, the other side of indifference, it’s the other side of sides, where the binary breaks down. It’s a new paradigm, a destination, a different perspective, a mindset, a state of openness, the space between the endless folds in your forehead, hopes for tomorrow, and reflections on the past. This anthology of diverse voices is an everything bagel of literary genres and love songs, secrets whispered in the dark of night, conversations held with ancestors under the sea.
Process
The first semester of senior year, going back to school in person and going through the college application process, it felt like every day I was just existing. I forgot what it meant to be a teenager and enjoy the little moments in life. This poem allowed me to put these thoughts into words.
Rizouana Prome
Rizouana is an extrovert, but as much as she likes hanging out with her friends and exploring, she is also attached to her own company. Rizouana believes having an optimistic and peaceful mindset is the key to making the most out of an experience. During her leisure time, she likes to draw, paint and write. Rizouana writes poetry, fiction, and memoirs about young adults’ lives. She likes reading fictional romance novels and philosophy. Rizouana is passionate about immigrant rights, women’s rights, and climate justice.
