i/n/t/i/m/a/c/y

2022
link to webpageinteractive digital poem created with p5.js
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I made i/n/t/i/m/a/c/y for a younger version of myself. At the time, I was frantically attempting to reconstruct reality in the aftermath of an abusive dynamic. I processed many of my feelings in isolation, fearing the cruelty and invalidation victims of abuse are frequently subjected to.

I want her to know that it’s not her fault, and I understand now. She ran to a wolf out of survival; she knew his teeth were sharp, but he promised to keep her warm. For her, this was safer than staying where she was. If I rush to dismiss her, I only emulate the people who drove her to flee in the first place.

i/n/t/i/m/a/c/y has several hidden elements — when playing it through, make sure you move your mouse around to get the full story.