Unveiling the Shadows: Saint Explores the Inner Labyrinth in Corners of My Psyche

In a world that too often turns away from pain, Saint turns directly toward it. With their stunning debut, Corners of My Psyche, Saint doesn’t just write they reveal. This graphical poetry book is an excavation of hidden emotion, veiled trauma, and the complexity of what it means to be human. Layered with haunting visuals, visceral language, and unwavering honesty, it is as much an artistic statement as it is a confessional offering.

Supported by the work of artist (BALLADS) Rapheal Ograsein and the visionary guidance of creative director (BEN JAMES) Reuben Ally, Corners of My Psyche is a collaborative masterpiece that moves beyond words and into the visual psyche. Created and funded by Guyanese artist. Published By The Artist Collective

Where Pain Meets Poetry

Saint didn’t set out to write a book they set out to survive. “Everything I have harbored up to this particular point have been locked away in my mind; my psyche,” they share. “This book talks about all the emotions and trauma I shoved aside into little corners of my brain.” From those corners, a lightbulb sparked, giving birth to a title that captures both the fragmentation and intensity of internal struggle. Each poem is a window into the rooms we try to keep closed. But Saint has flung them open, letting the light and shadows spill across the page.

Autobiographical in All But Name

Though dressed in metaphor, Saint’s verses are grounded in real life. “This is the story of my life… every part of this book is real and true to me.” Readers may be struck by the fantastical edge of the imagery, but beneath that lies lived experience, real people, and emotional truth. “It attests to the way I hide from the world and dress up my trauma,” Saint admits. “One might call it a coping mechanism.”

The Emotional Cost of Creation

Writing Corners of My Psyche was no simple artistic exercise it was emotionally grueling. “I felt like I was crashing and burning every time, I sat down to write,” Saint says. With each session came a flood of doubt, vulnerability, and mental resistance. Writer’s block wasn’t just creative it was emotional. “A million thoughts a day made me believe no one would give this book the time of day.” And yet, they wrote. For themselves, and for those who would one day see themselves in those very pages.

A Glimpse into the Psyche: Sample Poems

Two standout poems, “To Be Human Is To Be Full of Sin” and “Nuclear”, exemplify the book’s emotional gravity and psychological depth.

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To Be Human Is To Be Full of Sin

I close my eyes and ponder within each waking moment what it is I have done to deserve this suffering

The dread I am coupled with is stifling

The feeling of ghostly arms wrapped around my body keep me stagnant

…

I do not wish to be human anymore

Because to be human is to be full of sin

And in being sinful, one shall suffer.

— Saint

Nuclear

The rage that surges is blinding, binding

Twisting the mind and;

…

KNOW YOUR PLACE!

KNOW YOUR PLACE!

Only I command you

Mercy is something I was never taught

Leniency is pleasurable only for the weak

And so, it must be.

— Saint

Nuclear - Saint & Ben James (Official Audio)

These poems are not just expressions they are exorcisms. Each word functions like a scalpel, slicing into layers of pain and leaving nothing hidden.

Making Art from the Abyss

The process of assembling this book was chaotic, even damaging at times. “I started to write one a day but eventually stopped because it was too hard for me,” Saint recalls. Later, in what they describe as a manic episode, they wrote eleven poems in a single sitting. “It was not the healthiest approach… but I did it regardless.” The remaining elements were built with meticulous care, turning rawness into resonance.

We All Have Corners

Do we all have corners of our psyche we avoid? Saint thinks so. “I believe there are certain things we all believe are either too sensitive or too minor to talk about,” they say. It’s a universal truth—that we all carry hidden weight. This book urges us to confront those corners, not in fear, but in solidarity.

A Voice for the Voiceless

Saint doesn’t position themselves as a mental health expert, but they are a survivor, and more importantly, a witness. “I want to be a voice for the voiceless,” they say. “It is far from easy to just talk or be sincere about your problems… You are not alone. I see you. So many others see you.” That message that someone does see you radiates from every page of this book.

Looking Forward

Is Corners of My Psyche part of something bigger? Maybe. Saint keeps things mysterious: “I aim to keep my audience on their toes. If there is no suspense, is what’s to come truly worth it?”

Corners of My Psyche is currently slated for release in late 2025, with The Artist Collective serving as its official publisher. While an exact publication date has not yet been announced, anticipation continues to build around this emotionally resonant debut. Readers can expect further updates in the coming months as the collective prepares to bring Saint’s powerful vision to the world.

Meet the Contributor's

Saint - Author

The voice and vision behind the book, Saint offers an unfiltered glimpse into the emotional complexity of the human experience.

Reuben Ally – Creative Director/Composer

Guiding the structure and design, Reuben shaped the book into an immersive experience that transcends traditional poetry.

Rapheal Ograsein (BALLADS)-Artist/Composer

Corners of My Psyche is more than a book it’s a brave and necessary act. A mirror, a release, a reckoning. Through Saint’s unwavering honesty and the collaboration of a thoughtful creative team, the work becomes a space where readers can confront their own shadows and maybe, just maybe, begin to heal.

The Artist Collective

For artists, by artists amplifying voices that speak truth to emotion.

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