BY: Heather Emerson
Unalive Is Not a Word by Jessica Remter, is a collection of free form poetry, taking the reader on a journey of life’s most painful moments, to the very depths of despair, the wrestling thoughts that one experiences while there, and offers a way of hope and healing. From the very first page Remter begins, “if you feel like dying / unaliving / because you think you / won’t be missed / let me give you / a reason to live”
Creatively, Remter uses punctuation sparingly and writes exclusively in lowercase letters. The untitled poems flow from page to page and offer plenty of blank space on the page for the reader to fully absorb and consider every word. Sometimes there is a single sentence on a page, “i am enough”, “there is joy in the unknown”, and “you don’t have to face this alone”.
In the untitled poem on page eighty-four Remter addresses the reader with compassionate words, “i have been where you are/ i’ve been all alone/ i’ve faced my demons/ and slayed my dragons”.
A disclaimer in the back of the book confirms that Unalive Is Not a Word is an exploration of suicidal ideation and mental health struggles and offers the suggestion of help from a trained professionals. The book also includes warning signs to look for if someone may be thinking of suicide.
Unalive Is Not a Word is a deeply meaningful and unique book of poetry that is sure to impact the reader with a profound view of the preciousness of life, to always strive toward healing and hope, even in our darkest moments.