Introduction
An Instagram poet whose works were chosen for analysis is Charly Cox, a British poet, writer, and mental health activist. Her debut collection of poetry and prose, “She Must Be Mad,” has become a bestseller in the UK, attracting readers worldwide. In it, the author covers the topics of mental illnesses, body image, dating, and coming-of-age, which are essential for the majority of modern youths. Cox shares her innermost emotions and thoughts, opening a dialogue with people who see themselves in her work and demonstrating that personal feelings may be the most universal. For millennials, who are viewed as probably the most anxious and depressive generation in modern history, Cox’s poems help them discover themselves and cope with mental issues in challenging times.
Safer
The first poem read is “Safer,” which describes a young woman’s wishes related to relationships. First of all, it strikes by her utmost realism as it literally reflects the thoughts of youths who want to feel cared for and loved – “I want someone…To ask if I got nuggets or a pastry…To say they’ve just got into bed But their phone is on loud To say call me if you’re bored Or here’s a song to pass the time” (“Safer,” 2019).
Moreover, the poem addresses an alarming issue of sexual abuse, harassment, and rape that young women frequently face. Cox writes, “I want someone to text me halfway home to check I’m halfway home too,” and mentions the keys between fingers as a universal technique for women’s protection in the case of an attack (“Safer,” 2019). From a personal perspective, the poem evokes feelings of despair as the author constantly faces the violence of reality and loneliness, longing even for insignificant things like texts that do not provide warmth or protection.
Mental Innit
Another poem by Charly Cox is “Mental Innit,” which reflects on the experience of a person with depression. Similar to the previous one, this poem is intensely realistic, as the author describes her personal experiences. It allows readers to understand how people with mental health problems feel and how they struggle daily with ordinary things – “I got a fork stuck in the dishwasher, and now I can’t stop crying” (“Mental Innit,” 2017).
Describing in detail the thoughts of a person who suffers from depression, Cox does not want to advocate for it as a glamorous modern condition. In contrast, she wants to attract public attention to this issue and demonstrate that depressed and anxious individuals need support and help.
Conclusion
In general, Charly Cox’s works are outstanding for their realism, comprehensiveness, and relevance. It is obvious why a considerable number of young people like them – they see themselves between the lines, and the poet’s sincere description of her own fears, feelings, emotions, and issues creates a solid bond between her and others. At the same time, Cox’s poetry should also be noticed by older generations – parents, service providers, and policy-makers – as it addresses the unspoken problems of youths. In her works, it is depicted how millennials are lonely, desperate, misunderstood, and unprotected. They are under pressure from social norms and standards; however, their wishes are frequently ignored.
References
Mental Innit. (2017). Twitter.
Safer. (2019). Twitter.