Commentary 11 - On "Bittersweet Aftertaste"

This poem is very special to me. Firstly, it is the first poem I wrote for Submerged Castles! So that makes it extra special because it was written after my depression started to be conquered over. Not only that but this poem is about one of my best friends. They had a similar experience to last year as well. Depressive episodes alongside being isolated and alone. Just like me they felt trapped and alone. Just like me, they had so many ambitions and dreams that faded when they experienced hardship. They compared themselves to others who didn’t suffer like this and I hated watching it. So I stuck by them during this time and they stuck by me when I was too. I wrote this about her and her conquering her depression and finding validation as being a human being rather than in people who don’t care about her. There are sad moments in this poem but there are happy ones as well. It is so beautiful that I can call her my friend. She was with me since the beginning of my (second) college career and it is wonderful that she’s still with me now. I dedicate this poem to her and her friendship that she has offered me. This poem is also a preview into the softer, more hopeful side of Submerged Castles rather than the heavier stuff most of you are probably used to from the last collection - “Burnt Out And Want To Get Out”. That is intentional and I hope you enjoy it.

This poem means a lot to me because it is about one of my best friends. They deserve to have their story written in a great artistic way because they're deserving of it.