ABSTRACT
“Poison and Monsters” is a fantasy memoir piece about one woman’s struggle with migraines and a waking hallucination named Simone. Written while under the influence of heavy pain medication while experiencing a migraine, this is the start of a longer MFA thesis that features Simone as the main antagonist. After suffering the better part of her life in quiet agony, the protagonist, Jiovanna, is able to navigate this world of monsters thanks to her trust in her friends. This story is part hallucination, part real conversations, and part dream, and by bringing all these elements together, the author hopes to shine a little light onto her darkened path.
