A Powerful Poetic Exploration of Mental Health and Medication in “Side Effects”
"Side Effects" by Myna Wallin is a poignant and unflinchingly honest poem that delves into the complexities of living with mental illness and the double-edged sword of medication. With precision and vulnerability, Myna Wallin sheds light on the intricate dance between stability and side effects.
Lithium's Paradox
The poem begins with a striking image of lithium as both "saviour" and mummifier, highlighting the medication's dual nature. Wallin's words convey the relief and gratitude that comes with finding a treatment that works, but also the numbing, weightless sensation that accompanies it. The "bloodhounds" of anxiety and depression quieten, yet the speaker's fingers "begin to quake," betraying the lingering presence of tremors.
Intimacy and Vulnerability
Wallin's language is characterized by its intimacy and vulnerability, drawing the reader into the speaker's inner world. The image of "blackness peel[ing] off the walls" suggests a lifting of darkness, while the "swaying brown knot" of suicidal ideation is a heart-wrenching confession. The speaker's self-consciousness and fear of exposure are palpable, making the poem feel like a courageous act of sharing.
The Struggle for Normalcy
The second half of the poem explores the mundane yet challenging aspects of living with medication. The "notoriously unquenchable thirst" induced by lithium becomes a metaphor for the ongoing struggle to manage side effects. Wallin's "game of misdirection" – distracting others from her trembling hands – underscores the tension between hiding and revealing one's true self.
"Side Effects" offers several valuable insights, including the complex interplay between medication and mental health, the tension between stability and side effects, and the importance of vulnerability and honesty in mental health discourse. Wallin's poem is a testament to the human spirit's capacity for resilience and adaptation. By sharing her experiences, she creates a safe space for others to confront their own struggles.
Myna Wallin's "Side Effects" is a masterful exploration of the mental health landscape. Her poetry is unflinchingly honest, beautifully crafted, and courageously vulnerable. What draws me to Myna Wallin's poetry is its remarkable ability to transcend individual experiences, speaking directly to the human condition. Her courageous vulnerability invites readers to reflect on their own struggles, finding solace and wisdom in her beautifully crafted words. This poem- and indeed her entire book of poetry, “The Suicide Tourist”, deserves widespread recognition for its thought-provoking and empathetic portrayal of living with mental illness and medication.
A Haunting Exploration of Mortality and the Allure of Darkness in “Soft Second Skin”
Myna Wallin's poem "Soft Second Skin" is a masterful and unflinching exploration of the human experience, delving into the complexities of mortality, grief, and the seductive allure of darkness. With precision and nuance, Wallin navigates the treacherous terrain of suicidal ideation, paying tribute to the lives lost while confronting the reader with the harsh realities of such departures.
Wallin's poem begins with a devastating evocation of the poet's own contemplation of suicide, invoking the ghosts of Sylvia Plath and Virginia Woolf. The image of removing jewelry, symbolizing the shedding of identity, is particularly striking. The use of the mother's fur pelt as a "soft second skin" suggests a desperate quest for comfort and protection. The stark, unromanticized description of carbon monoxide's deadly efficacy serves as a jarring reminder of the irreversible consequences of such actions.
The second stanza presents a striking counterpoint, as the speaker waits for dawn, acknowledging the cyclical nature of life and death. The admission of fantasizing about escape through self-destruction is tempered by an inability to romanticize one's own ending. This tension between despair and resilience is expertly maintained, underscoring the complexity of suicidal ideation. Wallin's honest portrayal avoids sentimentalization, instead offering a raw and intimate glimpse into the mind of one struggling with life.
The final stanza confronts the aftermath of suicide, highlighting the devastating impact on loved ones and readers. Wallin astutely observes that the departed's life becomes "an old story," leaving others to grapple with the void left behind. The poem's conclusion, with its emphasis on decoding departure, serves as a powerful testament to the enduring power of art to make sense of the painful and inexplicable.
Myna Wallin's "Soft Second Skin" is a triumph of poetic craftsmanship, tackling a difficult subject with sensitivity, intelligence, and lyrical precision. Wallin's work is a testament to the transformative power of poetry to illuminate the darkest corners of human experience.
What I love most about Myna Wallin’s poetry is that any one can read and savour the insights she offers in her courageously intimate struggles with life. In "Soft Second Skin” the reader engages with its unflinching exploration of mortality. I would share this poem with others to foster greater understanding and empathy for those struggling with suicidal ideation and mental illness.
Such powerful poems, Myna! Thank you. And thanks to Send My Love To Anyone.
Hi Sheila--so glad you enjoyed them. I love them too. This is a fantastic collection!
Thanks, Kathryn! A pleasure to be part of Send My Love to Anyone #40.
Yes, evocative poems here about a difficult subject. So glad you elected to stay with us and keep writing.
Thank you, John. By the way, I've gotten many compliments on the photos you took of me! xo
A Powerful Poetic Exploration of Mental Health and Medication in “Side Effects”
"Side Effects" by Myna Wallin is a poignant and unflinchingly honest poem that delves into the complexities of living with mental illness and the double-edged sword of medication. With precision and vulnerability, Myna Wallin sheds light on the intricate dance between stability and side effects.
Lithium's Paradox
The poem begins with a striking image of lithium as both "saviour" and mummifier, highlighting the medication's dual nature. Wallin's words convey the relief and gratitude that comes with finding a treatment that works, but also the numbing, weightless sensation that accompanies it. The "bloodhounds" of anxiety and depression quieten, yet the speaker's fingers "begin to quake," betraying the lingering presence of tremors.
Intimacy and Vulnerability
Wallin's language is characterized by its intimacy and vulnerability, drawing the reader into the speaker's inner world. The image of "blackness peel[ing] off the walls" suggests a lifting of darkness, while the "swaying brown knot" of suicidal ideation is a heart-wrenching confession. The speaker's self-consciousness and fear of exposure are palpable, making the poem feel like a courageous act of sharing.
The Struggle for Normalcy
The second half of the poem explores the mundane yet challenging aspects of living with medication. The "notoriously unquenchable thirst" induced by lithium becomes a metaphor for the ongoing struggle to manage side effects. Wallin's "game of misdirection" – distracting others from her trembling hands – underscores the tension between hiding and revealing one's true self.
"Side Effects" offers several valuable insights, including the complex interplay between medication and mental health, the tension between stability and side effects, and the importance of vulnerability and honesty in mental health discourse. Wallin's poem is a testament to the human spirit's capacity for resilience and adaptation. By sharing her experiences, she creates a safe space for others to confront their own struggles.
Myna Wallin's "Side Effects" is a masterful exploration of the mental health landscape. Her poetry is unflinchingly honest, beautifully crafted, and courageously vulnerable. What draws me to Myna Wallin's poetry is its remarkable ability to transcend individual experiences, speaking directly to the human condition. Her courageous vulnerability invites readers to reflect on their own struggles, finding solace and wisdom in her beautifully crafted words. This poem- and indeed her entire book of poetry, “The Suicide Tourist”, deserves widespread recognition for its thought-provoking and empathetic portrayal of living with mental illness and medication.
Thank you, J.C.W., for your in-depth examination of "Side Effects." I appreciate your time and effort! Fascinating.
A Haunting Exploration of Mortality and the Allure of Darkness in “Soft Second Skin”
Myna Wallin's poem "Soft Second Skin" is a masterful and unflinching exploration of the human experience, delving into the complexities of mortality, grief, and the seductive allure of darkness. With precision and nuance, Wallin navigates the treacherous terrain of suicidal ideation, paying tribute to the lives lost while confronting the reader with the harsh realities of such departures.
Wallin's poem begins with a devastating evocation of the poet's own contemplation of suicide, invoking the ghosts of Sylvia Plath and Virginia Woolf. The image of removing jewelry, symbolizing the shedding of identity, is particularly striking. The use of the mother's fur pelt as a "soft second skin" suggests a desperate quest for comfort and protection. The stark, unromanticized description of carbon monoxide's deadly efficacy serves as a jarring reminder of the irreversible consequences of such actions.
The second stanza presents a striking counterpoint, as the speaker waits for dawn, acknowledging the cyclical nature of life and death. The admission of fantasizing about escape through self-destruction is tempered by an inability to romanticize one's own ending. This tension between despair and resilience is expertly maintained, underscoring the complexity of suicidal ideation. Wallin's honest portrayal avoids sentimentalization, instead offering a raw and intimate glimpse into the mind of one struggling with life.
The final stanza confronts the aftermath of suicide, highlighting the devastating impact on loved ones and readers. Wallin astutely observes that the departed's life becomes "an old story," leaving others to grapple with the void left behind. The poem's conclusion, with its emphasis on decoding departure, serves as a powerful testament to the enduring power of art to make sense of the painful and inexplicable.
Myna Wallin's "Soft Second Skin" is a triumph of poetic craftsmanship, tackling a difficult subject with sensitivity, intelligence, and lyrical precision. Wallin's work is a testament to the transformative power of poetry to illuminate the darkest corners of human experience.
What I love most about Myna Wallin’s poetry is that any one can read and savour the insights she offers in her courageously intimate struggles with life. In "Soft Second Skin” the reader engages with its unflinching exploration of mortality. I would share this poem with others to foster greater understanding and empathy for those struggling with suicidal ideation and mental illness.
Thank you J.C.W. for interacting with the poem so thoughtfully & decoding it so intelligently.