“Beneath Still Waters” is more than a book—it’s a journey through the depths of the soul. In this powerful collection of poetry, art, and personal reflection, WIA invites you to step into his world of transformation, resilience, and self-discovery.

From the sunlit hills of Jamaica to the bustling streets of Brooklyn, from the battles fought in war to the battles waged within, WIA’s story is one of rising after every fall. Each phase of his life is a testament to the strength it takes to heal, the courage it requires to face the past, and the power found in embracing one’s true self.

Through deeply personal poems, vivid artwork, and thoughtful reflections, WIA shares the lessons he’s learned along the way. His journey is one of pain, love, growth, and redemption—and through it all, he emerges stronger, more resilient, and at peace with the man he has become.

But this isn’t just WIA’s story—it’s an invitation for you to reflect on your own journey. With interactive journal prompts, creative spaces, and a call to action for personal expression, “Beneath Still Waters” challenges you to dive beneath the surface of your own life and find the beauty in your scars.

No matter where you are in your own story, this book is a reminder that healing is possible, transformation is inevitable, and there is always a way to rise.

Join the journey. Find your own still waters. And discover the strength that lies beneath. 

Introduction:

As a poet and artist, I’ve always believed that words and visuals are two sides of the same coin. Both have the power to heal, to inspire, and to tell stories that resonate deeply. When I began creating Beneath Still Waters, I wanted to find a way to combine these two art forms into something new—something that would create an immersive experience for readers and help them connect with the themes of the book on a deeper level. That’s when the idea for ArtPoetry was born.

What is ArtPoetry?

ArtPoetry is a new genre that blends the visual power of art with the emotional depth of poetry. I created it because I found that some emotions, experiences, and stories are difficult to capture with just one medium. Poetry is powerful, but when combined with art, it can transcend words and touch the soul in a way that’s almost tangible. With Beneath Still Waters, I wanted to create a journey where readers don’t just read my poems—they see them, feel them, and reflect on them through art.

Each poem in the book is paired with artwork that amplifies its meaning. The visuals aren’t just illustrations; they are an integral part of the narrative, working alongside the poetry to tell a fuller story.

Why I Created ArtPoetry

The idea for ArtPoetry came from my own experiences with healing. After facing personal battles—both external and internal—I found that expressing myself creatively was a way to process and make sense of everything I was going through. Writing poetry helped me put my emotions into words, but there were times when words weren’t enough. That’s when I turned to art. Art allowed me to express the things I couldn’t articulate, and combining the two felt natural.

With ArtPoetry, I hope to offer others a way to explore their own stories, emotions, and healing journeys. Whether you’re drawn to words, visuals, or both, my goal is to create a space where readers can engage with the themes of resilience, love, identity, and healing on multiple levels.

How ArtPoetry Enhances Healing

The combination of art and poetry in Beneath Still Waters is not just about aesthetics—it’s about healing. Each piece of art was created with the same intention as the words: to tell a story of growth, to reflect on the journey of self-discovery, and to find peace in the scars. When readers engage with both the poetry and the art, they are invited to reflect on their own experiences and find healing through their interpretations.

Call to Action:

I encourage you to explore ArtPoetry for yourself. Try combining words with visuals to express what you’re feeling. You don’t have to be an artist or a poet—this is about the process, not the product. If you’ve ever struggled to put your emotions into words, try drawing or painting how you feel. If you’ve ever found it hard to capture an image in art, write a poem about it. I’d love to hear how ArtPoetry resonates with you—feel free to share your thoughts or creations in the comments or on social media.

Introduction:

Art and poetry have always been ways for me to process the world around me, but they became even more essential after my time in the military. Like many veterans, I returned home with scars—some physical, others invisible. It wasn’t easy to talk about what I’d been through, and I found myself struggling to put my emotions into words. That’s when I turned to creativity as a form of healing.

How Creativity Helped Me Heal

Writing and creating art became my outlet, my way of processing the trauma I had experienced. When I couldn’t find the words, I painted. When I couldn’t make sense of the feelings, I wrote poetry. Through these creative expressions, I began to confront the memories and emotions that had been buried deep inside me.

I realized that healing doesn’t happen overnight, and it doesn’t look the same for everyone. For me, it came through the slow process of creating—of putting pieces of myself into my art and my writing. Each poem, each brushstroke, became a step toward understanding and making peace with my past.

Creative Expression as a Tool for Healing

Art and poetry are powerful because they allow us to express what we can’t say aloud. They give us a safe space to explore our emotions and experiences without fear of judgment. Through creativity, we can process trauma, grief, and pain in a way that feels authentic and healing. In Beneath Still Waters, I’ve used both art and poetry to explore my own healing journey—one that has been filled with moments of struggle, but also moments of growth.

How Beneath Still Waters Reflects My Healing Journey

In Beneath Still Waters, you’ll find poems that speak to the internal battles I faced after returning from war, as well as the external challenges of addiction and identity. You’ll also find artwork that reflects those emotions—pieces that are as much a part of my healing as the words themselves. Together, the poetry and art tell a story of resilience and recovery.

Call to Action:

If you’re struggling with your own emotions, I encourage you to explore creative expression as a form of healing. Whether it’s writing, painting, drawing, or any other form of art, give yourself the space to create. You don’t have to share it with anyone—it’s for you. And if you do want to share your journey, I’d love to hear about it. Feel free to comment below or connect with me on social media to share how creativity has helped you heal. 

Introduction:

Stillness can be a powerful tool for self-discovery, yet in today’s fast-paced world, it’s often overlooked. We’re constantly moving, constantly doing, and rarely take the time to sit with ourselves and reflect. But in my journey, I’ve found that stillness is where the real growth happens. It’s in those quiet moments, when everything else fades away, that we can truly hear ourselves and understand our emotions.

The Meaning Behind Beneath Still Waters

The title Beneath Still Waters reflects the idea that beneath the surface of our daily lives, there’s so much more happening. Just like water, we may appear calm on the outside, but underneath, there are currents of emotions, thoughts, and experiences that shape who we are. It’s only when we take the time to sit in stillness that we can begin to explore what lies beneath.

In the book, I explore this concept through both poetry and art. The poems often reflect moments of stillness—times when I was forced to confront my own emotions, thoughts, and memories. The artwork mirrors this, with images that evoke a sense of depth and introspection.

How Stillness Leads to Growth

Stillness isn’t always easy. In fact, it can be uncomfortable at times, especially when it brings up emotions we’ve been avoiding. But it’s in those moments of discomfort that we grow. By allowing ourselves to sit with our thoughts and feelings, we can begin to process them and ultimately move forward.

For me, stillness has been essential to my healing and self-discovery. It’s allowed me to make sense of my past, to understand my identity, and to come to terms with my experiences. In Beneath Still Waters, I invite readers to find their own stillness and explore what lies beneath the surface of their lives.

Call to Action:

I encourage you to take some time this week to embrace stillness. Find a quiet space, away from distractions, and simply sit with your thoughts. Reflect on where you are in your journey and what emotions or experiences you may have been avoiding. If you feel inspired, use that time to write, draw, or create something that reflects what you discover. Share your thoughts or creations in the comments, or connect with me on social media to continue the conversation. 

Introduction:

Resilience isn’t something we’re born with—it’s something we learn through experience. It’s the ability to keep moving forward, even when life knocks us down. Throughout my journey, I’ve faced my fair share of challenges, but each one has taught me something about resilience. In Beneath Still Waters, I explore the lessons I’ve learned from my struggles and how they’ve shaped me into the person I am today.

Learning Resilience Through Experience

Some of my biggest lessons in resilience came from moments of hardship—times when I felt like giving up, but somehow found the strength to keep going. Whether it was navigating the challenges of addiction, facing the emotional aftermath of war, or grappling with my sense of identity, each experience tested me in ways I never expected. But through those struggles, I learned that resilience isn’t about never falling—it’s about always getting back up.

In Beneath Still Waters, the poems reflect this idea of resilience. They tell stories of falling down, of feeling broken, but also of rising again—stronger, wiser, and more determined. The artwork mirrors these themes, with visuals that evoke both the struggle and the strength found within it.

Resilience as a Lifelong Practice

Resilience isn’t something you achieve once and then move on from—it’s a lifelong practice. We’re constantly facing new challenges, and each one requires us to find new ways to rise. But the more we practice resilience, the stronger we become. We learn that even when life feels overwhelming, we have the power to get through it.

Call to Action:

Think back to a time in your life when you showed resilience. What did that experience teach you? How did it shape who you are today? I encourage you to reflect on your own journey of resilience and share your thoughts in the comments. If you’d like, you can also share a story of resilience with me on social media—I’d love to hear about the challenges you’ve overcome. 

Introduction:

Identity and belonging are themes that run throughout Beneath Still Waters, as they’ve been central to my own life. Growing up, I often felt caught between different worlds—Jamaica, Brooklyn, the military—and struggled to find my place. These experiences shaped my sense of self and left me searching for where I truly belonged.

Finding Identity in Cultural Displacement

Moving from Jamaica to Brooklyn was a pivotal moment in my life, and it’s one that I explore in Beneath Still Waters. It was a time when I felt both connected to my roots and disconnected from the world around me. I had to navigate new cultural norms, new expectations, and new definitions of success and belonging. It wasn’t easy, and at times, it felt like I was losing pieces of myself in the process.

But over time, I realized that my identity wasn’t something I had to choose—it was something I could embrace fully, with all its complexities. I didn’t have to be one thing or the other. I could be both.

Belonging is an Internal Journey

Belonging is something we often seek outside of ourselves, but the truth is, it’s an internal journey. For years, I searched for belonging in different places—different communities, different roles—but I eventually realized that true belonging comes from within. It’s about being at peace with who you are and accepting yourself fully.

In Beneath Still Waters, I reflect on this journey of finding my identity and creating a sense of belonging, not based on external validation, but on self-acceptance.

Call to Action:

I invite you to reflect on your own journey of identity and belonging. Have there been times in your life when you struggled to find where you fit? How did those experiences shape who you are today? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments or connect with me on social media to continue the conversation.