Picking Thorns
by Victoria Rose

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Picking Thorns is a powerful collection of poetry and prose that explores themes of mental illness, love, heartbreak, and the art of letting go. Divided into three sections—Eradication, Incandescence, and Rebirth—this collection captures the complexities of healing and self-discovery. Eradication delves into heartbreak, trauma, and the shadowed depths of mental illness. Incandescence ignites themes of love, passion, and embracing sensual energy. Rebirth celebrates renewal, self-love, and stepping fully into your own light. Written over four years, these pieces highlight both the struggles and triumphs of navigating life as a neurodivergent woman, embracing the duality of darkness and light.

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Victoria Rose is a writer and poet raised in Edmonton, Alberta. She learned to read at the young age of four and found herself often immersed in a book. Her passion for reading and writing grew as she got older – she started journalling in junior high school as a way to express her difficult feelings. She continued writing well after graduating high school and took creative writing courses to improve her writing skills. Through her vulnerable poetry and prose, she touches on heartbreak, trauma, mental illness, and turning pain into something beautiful. She continues to reside in Edmonton with her family and her cat, Atticus and enjoys hiking, thrift shopping, collecting crystals & rocks, and sipping caramel macchiatos & red wine.

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Contributors

Author

Victoria Rose