Congratulations to Tini Reverie for having their following poem chosen for publication on Blank Canvas Post. The poem that follows is a truly wonderful exploration of how the love is real enough to wound yet invisible through reassurances, something that leaves quite an... impression far longer than it should. Please read the follow conversation between us at Blank Canvas Post and Tini Reverie to understand more about the writer and the context for this brilliant poem.
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Writer Spotlight: Tini
From Malaysia, Tini Reverie has been writing since their teenage years. “I faltered for a while due to unwanted gazes and words by loved ones”, says Tini Reverie, “but now that I have a space I can call my own, I relentlessly published articles in both Substack and my Notes app”.
What was it that made you start writing?
I was a lonely child albeit having many siblings, and I guess my love for reading heightened my passion for writing.
What experiences have you had that have shaped the writer you are today?
Experience with time, for me. Everything is just either abrupt or never ending, and it shape me who I am today. It still does.
What genres are you writing at the moment? What genres do you enjoy writing?
Life, in general. Choices, Illness. What would you call that genre, though?
What inspires you to write? Where do you take your inspiration from?
Love. Acceptance. Passion.
What does your writing process look like (e.g., environment, tools, setting)?
I write in one-sitting most of the time. And I like it flowy, as if you’re reading someone’s thoughts. For tools it could be a recorder, a laptop, a book and pen (the classic). Setting? Alone, wrapped in thoughts with nowhere to go.
What do you envisage when you are writing something new? Are you writing with the intention of sharing your work, or are you simply writing to write, for example?
To exhale, I would say. It’s not something that’s fixed. Sometimes I could be watching a video and a writing is born.
Why do you think community is important for writers and creative people?
Call me a fool, but community rely so much on information, in which most medium used for that are books that are written. So, writing is important. It’s one of the ways for us to pass on knowledge too.
Where do you currently share your work?
My Notes app and Substack. Oh, and my recorder too.
Why did you submit your work to Blank Canvas Post? What drew you to our publication?
I would like to try publishing my work for once. Never did it before.
About the poem: Ghost Romanticism
Regarding Ghost Romanticism, what inspired you to write this piece?
And almost but requited love.
What is the context for this piece? What is the main feeling or message behind it?
In realising how much restraint one can put because they decided to stay longer than they should.
What was the process of writing this piece like for you? What did this process look like?
I play with a lot of words. Making sure everything rhymes, but still making sense. And it have the essence of sadness and acceptance. It’s like a slow realisation.
Why did you choose to submit this piece specifically to Blank Canvas Post?
It shows my state of mind during that time. But then again, if I submit my piece to Blank Canvas Post for the first time, I’d still choose this one.
So, without further ado, here is Ghost Romanticism, a poem, written by Tini Reverie.
Ghost Romanticism, by Tini
Tasted like static on my tongue Felt it move like heaven You pulled my heartstrings and strummed Now I only hear silence I drank you twice, both times, all bitter Knees bruised, I fell, you know, still unsure Remnants of the love I gave dented and sore like apples falling Sticker on my throat for the way heart chose to never realising Baby, gave out all the space and time and care like trims and laces Ache, I pray Release is the only way Once owned the room just to ruin Just a spark, with a match, all in flames Like a nerve under my skin Unrevealed, heightened senses, you to blame Eyes black, you flashed, then ash, scattered A false benign, your face, your manners Remnants of the love you gave clung, curled and smelled like smoke and regret Sticker on your throat as your way to keep your fabrication intact Baby, gave all in for the buts and strains and hopes like knives and daggers Ache, it stays Release might be on the way
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Beautiful, such a fresh choice of language