about alyssum poetry
alyssum is an australian poet creating unfiltered poetry about what it’s like to live within a fragile mind. her book ‘so i’ve been told’ is her diary of raw experiences & hand-drawn illustrations, gently offering a window into lived realities. alyssum poetry is unapologetically honest, quietly tender & deeply human.
a note from alyssum
I write under the name alyssum. And this is because, even though I’d like to share all of myself with you, I still have to protect me too.
alyssum, also known as ‘sweet alyssum’ (Lobularia maritima), is a beautiful flowering plant, known for it’s teeny tiny, delicate, white, honey-scented flowers. In ancient times it was often associated with emotional balance and protection. The word alyssum comes from the Greek word ‘lyssa’, meaning ‘rage’ or ‘madness’ – and the ‘a’ meaning ‘against’ – giving it its beautiful meaning, ‘without madness’.
I’m not a writer. Or a poet. At least I don’t consider myself to be. I ramble my thoughts into a scruffy black journal that I take with me most places. Every page is messy- with scribbled out words, clumsy phrases and not-so-graceful sentences. Sometimes I just need to get things out of my head, and onto a page. Be it in hospital, waiting rooms, cafes, on the train, dare I say- at work, at uni, or simply from the comfort of home (my favourite place). Sometimes I can’t stop writing. And other times, I have nothing but silence for myself.
I completed my first undergraduate degree in Veterinary Medicine, and have spent 12 years working as a Veterinary Surgeon. I went back to uni for a second undergrad in Psychological Science, and continued on to finish postgraduate training in Clinical Psychology. I now work with adults in mental health settings, helping them feel seen and supporting them to heal. I feel so blessed that I was able to change my career, and that I am now part of a field that fills up my soul until it overflows. Yes, I do miss the animals. But my heart, has always been with people.
These poems feel like parts of me. You’ll notice that they’re not in chronological order. And that is because illness, insight and healing, are not linear – at least not for me. I pulled these poems out of my worn-out journal and re-arranged them into a book that has helped me heal from the inside out. These aren’t polished hindsights- they are raw experiences. The illustrations came to life after hours scrolling Pinterest and creating images in my mind which I thought could do just as much justice as words. They started out as scribbles in my journal and slowly made their way onto my iPad, to neatly couple my writing.
This book has taken me years to write, organise, illustrate and of course, be brave enough to publish. And even though I have found that bravery, the fact that I am here, and that you’re reading this, is still terrifying to me.
I really hope that you’ve found something here to hold. Whether you’re struggling yourself, or loving someone who is mentally unwell, I hope you found some connection, some insight, some softness, and course, a bit of hope.