︎

Melodies of Misery

Publication Design



A book that weaves together my personal experience with heartbreak, the collective sentiments expressed in the YouTube comments section of Sinead O'Connor's "Nothing Compares 2 U," and research conducted by psychologists. Through this amalgamation of perspectives, the book sheds light on how melancholic melodies possess a profound ability to offer solace and restoration in our darkest moments.

On the floating shipless oceans / I did all my best to smile / Till your singing eyes and fingers / Drew me loving to your isle / And you sang, "Sail to me / Sail to me; let me enfold you / Here I am, here I am / Waiting to hold you" / Did I dream you dreamed about me? / Were you here when I was full-sail? / Now my foolish boat is leaning / Broken lovelorn on your rocks / For you sing, "Touch me not / Touch me not; come back tomorrow / Oh, my heart—oh, my heart / Shies from the sorrow" / I’m as puzzled as a newborn child / I’m as riddled as the tide / Should I stand amid the breakers / Or should I lie with death, my bride? / Hear me sing, "Swim to me / Swim to me; let me enfold you / Here I am, here I am / Waiting to hold you"