Dead things

by Ala Ilescu · Montreal, CA

"Dead things" watercolor on 140 lb paper 11" x 15" When I read Michaela's poem I was inspired to paint this. It is about a mental health illness, about PTSD ( post-traumatic stress disorder). Some people who have experienced a shocking, scary, or dangerous event may develop this condition. One of the symptoms is vivid flashbacks of the trauma. But also nightmares and awful images and thoughts. This is exactly what I was trying to show though my painting. This is the original painting I used in my book "My sad is sadder than yours" to illustrate this poem: Dead things every cell of my brain is infested with the stench of decaying memories that I'm unable to let go. Michaela Malek