I’ve always felt most authentic and alive when I’m writing. I’ve written stories and poetry ever since I could spell (or at least hold a crayon). Writing isn’t something I chose, it’s something I am…it’s as essential as air to me, it’s the embodiment of love and suffering and the human experience. Often times I write what I’m feeling before I even know what I’m feeling leaving me amazed at how words can shape my thoughts into images that offer such bright clarity and compassion when moments before I felt so lost. I’m so passionate about writing as a tool for healing, as the impetus to knowing oneself and developing a deeper sense of empathy for the world around us. For me, writing poetry allows me to know myself in a way I couldn’t otherwise, and it encourages me to delve deeper, try harder to connect not only to myself but to others.