On Breaking Boundaries and Uncovering Truth: Meet Jessica Payes
Jessica’s words feel like a quiet revolution. As a poet, author, and mental health advocate from New York, she uses her platform to confront society’s unspoken truths, wielding vulnerability as both a shield and a sword. Her deeply personal yet universal writing sheds light on mental health, family dynamics, and relationships—topics often relegated to the shadows.
Like many writers, Jessica’s journey with poetry began as an outlet to navigate her own human experience. Through her unfiltered, raw style, she offers readers solace and validation, resonating with those who’ve faced similar challenges. With her poetry collections, Manipulated and the forthcoming Temporary Lovers, Jessica has established herself as a powerful voice of authenticity, resilience, and empowerment.
The spoken word artist says she grew up in a space where emotions often felt stifled. Her childhood, marked by anger and silence, became the foundation of her writing journey.
“I connect with versions of my younger self when I’m writing and listen to what she has to say,” Jessica shared. “I feel my emotions on the surface, but there are parts of me that hold on and can’t let go until I say it in a poem, which is why writing is so therapeutic.”
Jessica’s poetry is also deeply universal. Her work explores themes of mental health, creating space for others to reflect on their own experiences. But the journey hasn’t been easy. The challenges of the pandemic and the loss of her grandfather were pivotal moments that shifted her perspective. Graduating from her bachelor’s program during lockdown, without a ceremony to honor her hard work, felt anticlimactic. The grief of that year pushed her toward her passion.
“Publishing a book had always been in the back of my mind,” she reflected, “but with life happening, I forgot all about it. After the losses, I came to the realization we all do when someone dies: life is short. I wanted to make myself proud in this lifetime.”
Her first collection, Manipulated, became a reality in December 2020, marking the proudest moment of her life. It was a declaration that her voice deserved to be heard and a testament to the power of persistence.
“Through my writing, it’s my mission to keep helping myself and others know it’s okay to have strong emotions, and you can write through anything. I hope my poetry enters the world heavy and leaves every open heart lighter.”
Jessica’s background in social work has further deepened her connection to mental health advocacy. As someone who helps children navigate their emotions, she understands the importance of finding safe outlets for self-expression.
“In my poetry, I openly share my struggles with depression and anxiety in vulnerable ways,” she explained. “I want to keep pushing conversations about mental health.”
Her second collection, Temporary Lovers, releasing February 14th, continues this mission. By exploring heartbreak, addiction, and emotional liberation, Jessica hopes to teach readers to recognize the signs of emotional abuse and understand the strength it takes to leave toxic relationships.
“My hope is that readers know the pain doesn’t last forever,” she said.
Jessica’s cultural identity and lived experiences inform her work, lending it an honesty that breaks through traditional norms in literature. She’s unapologetically raw, rejecting the confines of traditional poetry that she found inaccessible in school.
“I like to describe my poetry as ‘straight to the point.’ I don’t write with the intention of using literary devices; I write based on how I’m feeling. That allows me the freedom to say whatever I want in whichever way it needs to come out.”
For Jessica, writing is a survival tool. Journaling has become a way for her to track her progress and reflect on how far she’s come. In moments of doubt, she leans on these reflections for encouragement, reminding herself that her journey is worth the struggles.
“I cry a lot during my creative process because I’m releasing trapped emotions,” she shared. “There’s no greater release than after writing and performing that poem for the first time.”
Through her work, Jessica aims to spark conversations that challenge societal taboos around mental health. She sees poetry as both a personal act of healing and a way to foster connection with others.
“Being open and vulnerable in my work connected me with a ton of beautiful souls,” she said. “Every time I’m told by someone that my poems resonate with them, I’m reminded my feelings aren’t just mine.”
By leaning into her own vulnerabilities, she has created a safe space for others to explore their emotions and embrace their truths. Her journey challenges the traditional gatekeeping of literature, proving that the most impactful stories come from those who dare to speak their hearts.
Jessica’s story reminds us that there’s beauty in imperfection and strength in vulnerability. It challenges us to confront the societal norms that tell us to stay silent and to find connection in the spaces where we thought we were alone. With Temporary Lovers on the horizon, Jessica’s voice continues to carve a space for raw, unfiltered truth in the literary world. It’s a reminder to all of us: the most powerful art comes from the courage to be seen.
Photography by Thirty1Eighty8
About Jessica:
Jessica Payes (@strongerthanmypain) is a spoken word artist, creative director, author, and blogger whose work explores themes of mental health, family, and relationships. With a deep commitment to using poetry as a means of connection and healing, Jessica performs across New York and other states, captivating audiences with powerful, raw performances. Known for blending words with visual storytelling, Jessica creates striking poetry visuals and series that address taboo topics like mental health and dating. In her debut collection, Manipulated, Jessica highlights the importance of mental health and its effect in a raw and unfiltered way, being open with her journey of depression hoping readers know they, too, are stronger than their pain.
Jessica's second poetry collection, Temporary Lovers, is an honest exploration of heartbreak, love, and breaking free from toxic cycles. The collection also confronts the struggles of addiction and the path to emotional liberation. When not on stage performing, Jessica shares insights on life and creativity through her blog, continually inspiring others to embrace the power of self-expression. You can also follow her on YouTube to step inside her poetry visuals and spoken word performances.
Temporary Lovers Showcase:
On February 1st, Jessica will be curating a book launch showcase to premiere the poetry visual for the title poem of her upcoming collection, Temporary Lovers. Attendees will receive early release copies of the book debuting on February 14th and enjoy a showcase of featured performers throughout the evening including Elee (@eleejames), Kamayera (@king.kamayera), T (@tsleeveless), Jenn (@finding.faloola), Leah V (@leahvspeaks), and host MT Pariti.
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