“Manga” © Beau Madden

 

Child

i chew gum to force myself to not eat.
i wrap my tongue around the taffy.
i feel my belly empty and rumbling. i remember
the times i have eaten too much, my stomach
expanding, and i have been forced to vomit.
i am a child, i think. i am a child who has
been neglected. i am a child who has been beaten.
i am a child who has been taught to hate
myself for eating. i am a child who has
been taught to hate myself for being neglected.
i do not hate myself. i love myself. but i cannot
love myself when i am so hungry. how can i
love myself if i am never full?
but i do not know
what love is.

 

Claudia Wysocky is a 16-year-old Polish poet based in New York, celebrated for her evocative creations that capture life’s essence through emotional depth and rich imagery. With over five years of experience in fiction writing, her poetry has appeared in various local newspapers and literary magazines. Wysocky believes in the transformative power of art and views writing as a vital force that inspires her daily. Her works blend personal reflections with universal themes, making them relatable to a broad audience. Actively engaging with her community on social media, she fosters a shared passion for poetry and creative expression.

Beau Madden is an artist/writer residing in Bethlehem and working toward recovering from a mental health crisis. “I am becoming a mentally healthy person. My personal decision is to remain an artist and finish writing a book as well as return to work. I will become a whole individual . The method would be Self-Awareness. I’m aware of my appearance and other people’s expectations. I speak and am able to speak, and must conquer schizoaffective disorder and not being able to speak. From adverse effects I will be able to reconcile and make a health conscious decision! This is my future planning. Please enjoy my artwork and book!”