ink

Poetry

i dreamed last night.

i couldn’t find my pen.

wait, that’s not quite right.

i didn’t really lose it.

it was just hiding from me.

that’s different.

i couldn’t write anything.

my fingers felt tangled.

and without it,

nothing made sense

at all.

maybe this sounds confusing.

but it isn’t.

in my dream, i woke up

and saw the pen

was in my bed, and it had burst

now i was covered

in thick ink

that flowed over my body

and eventually into my mouth.

when i tried to speak,

i gurgled

and jumbled

and tangled thoughts

spilled out of my mouth.

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Published by Jeremiah Ray

Jeremiah Ray is an interdisciplinary artist and writer living and working in coastal Maine. He holds an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. His visual artwork mirrors his life, characterized by ongoing exploration and discovery. During his formative years, Jeremiah traveled extensively, exploring languages and cultures to seek adventure and better understand himself. Jeremiah completed his MFA in studio art with a clear goal—to teach. He aimed to help others discover and refine their unique, personal language. He believes art surpasses verbal communication, and finding one's voice in a personal medium to express oneself nonverbally is both a significant challenge and a powerful skill. In 2016, Jeremiah was diagnosed with advanced testicular cancer. This diagnosis profoundly changed his perspective on art, both visual and written, reinforcing his belief that art is a universal language. Facing the emotional weight of his diagnosis, Jeremiah became aware that he often lacked the words to understand and share his experiences fully. During this difficult time, he focused on two fundamental questions: What does it mean to be vulnerable? And how can I communicate this to others? Guided by these questions, he has embarked on a personal journey of healing and self-exploration.

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