Mnemophobia

By Collette Whittemore

Mnemophobia is a poetry chapbook similar to Rupi Kaur's "Milk and Honey" and Sabrina Benaim's "Depression and Other Magic Tricks". The chapbook is a nonfiction glimpse into my youth dealing with abuse, alcoholism, anxiety, and much more. My poems cover the years from the time I was eight into my early twenties. In my youth through high school years, I express what it was like experiencing the abuse my mom and I suffered living with "Mr. Hyde", my former stepdad. Later, I transition to college and reveal how I dealt with anxiety and heart break and the return of Mr. Hyde. Finally, I close the book with with some lightness to remind readers of the good.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Collette Whittemore
• Release date: Jun 28, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005667276

Collette Whittemore

Hello reader,I'm Collette. I am a University of North Georgia Writing and Publication class of 19' graduate, and I live in the beautiful mountains of North Georgia. I have been reading and writing since I was young. Dr. Seuss, authors of the little golden book series,J.K Rowling, R.L Stine, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and Edgar Allen Poe are some of the many authors that led me to this love of reading and writing.When I am not working my day job, you can find me writing poetry, reading, hiking, watching Netflix, and drinking coffee. I enjoy writing different types of pieces, but poetry and children's stories seem to be the stories that escape my mind and jump to page the quickest.

Book preview

Mnemophobia

by Collette Whittemore

Acknowledgment

First, I’d like to thank my college professor, Dr. Robinson, for encouraging me to write this chapbook in the first place. I was hesitant about writing it because of its content, but you encouraged me to go for it. Thanks to my mema for being supportive during those hard times I endured and by being the first one to read these poems. Next, I want to thank my Nena for always answering my phone calls when I needed a listening ear and for being there late at night and praying for me. I want to thank my real dad for being the best father possible and loving me the right way. I also want to thank my love, my other half, for getting onto me to keep up with my writing. And finally, I want to thank my mom for still loving and supporting me despite what we’ve been through together.

To the reader,

The poems below cover big topics such as abuse, suicide, alcoholism, and more. Although these topics are jarring, I hope you are able to appreciate them. I hope you are able to put yourself in the shoes of my younger self and are able to appreciate all similarities and differences you might have experienced. It is my hope that in some way you as the reader are able to take something from these poems and grow, and, or help someone who needs help. Enjoy, and thank you for reading.

⟡Before Dr. Jekyll’s Fall⟡

I remember a time before Dr. Jekyll turned into Mr. Hyde

I remember a time before the pain, tears, and lies

He was my new stepdad, and I thought he was pretty fun

On my seventh birthday, I begged for a Red Ryder BB gun

He taught me how to hold it and where to look to aim

I began to idolize him, so then I begged to share his last name

I was once very sick with a high fever for a week

He brought me