Title: Reflection, Artist: Bernice Troskie, 2017. A3 Ink on paper:
Having dealt with that all too common inner war that is depression, this piece was created to show the madness of the battle of a mind against itself. A battle which is often unseen by those on the outside of the catatonic veil of stillness and tears. However, down in the pit one can always hear a voice no matter how faint; whispering; “Hope. Hope against Hope. Tomorrow may be different.” One day, that turns out to be true, and one begins to fight, to fight tooth and nail to get yourself back. In that emptiness, one photon can free you from the clinging darkness, and you can rage against the dying of the light. And then you fight, you keep fighting even though everyone tells you you aren’t doing enough. they just can’t see it yet, they can’t see you inside, at night, covered in mud and blood screaming; “Is that all you’ve got!” But they will. They will when you emerge victorious. And when they apologize for not having understood it till now; show them the kindness you needed when you were broken. Break the cycle of petty blame and wilful misunderstanding. You have faced much worse than anything the world can throw at you now. You now have the strength to be kind.