Performed by Val Cole

Get to know the poet:

1) What is the theme of your poem?

The theme of my poem is vulnerability and the fear that often accompanies it.

2) What motivated you to write this poem?

I'm actually emetophobic. I'm also very introverted. One day, I wondered if there might be a connection between the two aspects of my life. I realised that maybe there could be. So, I started thinking about the similarities between my fears(vomit and opening up).

3) How long have you been writing poetry?

I have been writing lyrics/poetry since I was in first grade. I started picking up on it more when I was about 13 years old.

4) If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?

Good question! There's a lot I would choose. But if it has to be just one, I'd probably have dinner with Jon Bellion. He's a music artist. From behind the scenes of his songs, he makes it clear how much thought he puts into the formation of his artistry. I gravitated to those videos. So, it would be amazing to learn more about how these ideas formulate in his mind and how he first started bringing these ideas into fruition.

5) What influenced you to submit to have your poetry performed by a professional actor?

I have a lot of creative works stored in my files for years. In fact, this piece was originally written 2 years ago in a creative writing course. Having recently graduated from college, I decided to trust myself a bit more in my creative writing capabilities by submitting a creative work. Of course, I went back and edited it before submitting it. I figured the worst I could hear back is "no."

6) Do you write other works? scripts? Short Stories? Etc..?

I've written lyrics for original songs. I've co-written 2 plays that were performed. I've written short stories, and have even started teaching myself to write a longer-term project.

7) What is your passion in life?

My passions in life are singing, acting, and creative writing. I've sang all my life, started creatively writing when I was about 8 years old, and although I've only started acting at 19 years old, I've grown to love it just as much.

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POEM:

Ugh, I don’t know. Maybe the reason I’m scared of throwing up is the same reason I don’t say
what’s really on my mind, you know? You have an idea of what’s coming out, but you’re still not
ready for what it is. Maybe, it’s because I would be sharing an ugly part of myself, in a way at
least… Better yet, maybe it’s because when I start, I won’t be able to stop, right? I won’t be able to catch my breath and even if I feel somewhat relief, I’m also left feeling empty and shaken.

Shaken by what came out or shaken by the fact that I actually let it and now I’m seen in a
different light… But, yep. I’m emetophobic. That’s why I’m afraid of getting drunk, or pregnant,
or both. If I’m dumb enough to, that is. But anyways, I fear for my life when I get nauseous.
When I see others even gag, I move to evacuate…Speaking of which, I think I had a bit of a
breakthrough, huh? I should, uh…I should probably, you know… Same time next week?