The White Colossus is a collection of twenty poems covering topics from life to death. What was the inspiration for this collection of poems?

One of the biggest criticisms of my book is that it’s “too dark” and “too much pain,” but ironically, that’s why I wrote it. I wanted to write a poetry collection that was raw and unapologetic about mental health issues but also still appreciates the mundane things like nature and finding meanings in small ways, and trying to find purposes beyond the material, like God, and introspecting the self. These questions usually arise in depressed people, and I find it enlightening to explore.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this collection of poetry?

I would say exploring hope. Without giving spoilers, in the last sentence of the final poem, despite being a fleeting moment, I felt that it was important for the subject of the poem to go through as people who’ve read the book in its entirety could understand why that might be necessary.

When did you start writing poetry, and what made you decide to publish your work now?

What sparked my interest in writing poetry, in general, was when I was a child in elementary school. Every year when we had “poem in your pocket day,” we had to write a poem and fold it into our pocket the whole day, and by the end of the day, we had to share what we’d written in front of the class.

I started seriously writing poetry when I went to college and published my first poem in a college journal. And, then I took it more seriously when I declared to be an English major.

I was twenty-six when I started writing this book and published it when I was twenty-eight last June, and I’m twenty-nine now.

I think what inspired me to write a book like this is knowing that my twenties were coming to an end, and I couldn’t help but try to find some meaning to reflect on my personal experiences through a poetic lens.

What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?

I’m currently working on another collection of poems, and I’m also working on a novel. I alternate the works whenever my brain needs to shift between the two.

As for a release date, that’s still to be determined. I’m such a perfectionist. It took me two years to write The White Colossus, so maybe in two years? I’ll do my best to get it out sooner, but I’m always writing poems on Medium if one’s interested in reading them.

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