Drowned Verses: Poems of Love, Betrayal, and Resilience

Photograph taken by Sophie Zhou in Madrid Spain

In Drowned Verses, Sophie Zhou, Arts Council Director of Marketing, explores the complexities of love, trust, and self-discovery through poetry. Each piece unravels the raw emotions of longing, betrayal, and survival, drawing readers into deeply personal yet universally resonant moments. Whether confronting the sting of lost friendship or the blurred boundaries of love and pain, Zhou’s words linger like echoes in deep water—haunting, beautiful, and undeniably powerful.

Her

For my friend who pushed me off the Yanlord Clubhouse

swimming pool when I couldn’t swim:

I saw her everyday, sought her

every day. Her dark brown eyes

a tempting bait, a sweet little promise

that I would fall straight in to.

Her laugh was contagious, but also a subtle threat

echoing around the room, earning smiles that didn’t quite

reach the eyes. Her presence stood tall against her

small frame, shining amidst a crowd of strangers,

my lighthouse through the storm.

Until she wasn’t.

Betrayal rolled off her tongue so effortlessly

I barely caught it, a slippery eel slithering

between my fingers, through the cracks

between my words as I stood

on the diving board

and confessed that I

couldn’t swim

–useless you called me

your light dimmed

before I could reach it

the water closing in

above my head as I

struggled to breathe you

left me because I

told you I

couldn’t stay

afloat because I

told you I was

afraid of dark waters–

But I should be grateful, I guess.

Thank you for underestimating me.

For believing that I couldn’t.

For pushing me in.

For teaching me how to swim.

Love, Maybe

this must be love, maybe

my lips tremble, my eyes downcast

Your hand on my back sends shivers down my spine

i’m frozen in place, bracing for the impact

my lips tremble, eyes downcast, Your words

echo in the air i can no longer breathe

i’m frozen in place, waiting for the pain,

Your love leaves marks, threats i must obey

clinging to the air i can no longer breathe

my lungs collapse to Your impact so deep

Your love leaves scars, relics to my collection

proof of Your devotion i keep hidden beneath a sleeve

my lungs collapse to Your impact so deep, but

You pretend to unsee, cold lips brushing my cheek

proof of Your devotion above what i keep hiding

a game of pretend, called love, we keep playing

this must be love, clearly

Your hand on my back bracing the body You left

In half.

Written by : Sophie Zhou

Edited by: Brooke Olson