I, Dejana Matthews (aka. The Unspoken Dej) recently relocated to Nashville and wanted to share my love of poetry. I started writing poetry at the age of 10 after watching my first poetry slam in Los Angeles,
California. The first poetry slam I participated in was in Houston, Texas at age 15. I also wrote the script for a 24-hour play my high school hosted that same year.
Unexpectedly, I had to hit the brakes on her education and poetry when I became ill. Soon after, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease at age 16. As it rapidly took over MY life and expanded over several agonizing vears, I thought I'd never write or perform again. There were countless failed attempts to find a medication that would obtain remission, months in and out of the hospital for weeks on end, and multiple blood transfusions.
Fast forward to 2023, I had two life-changing surgeries at Vanderbilt Medical Center that gave me a second chance at life to be the artist I dreamed of being. I am ready to take the world by storm and eager to create poetry. I confidently create work that is true to myself, despite the risk of not fitting in.
I intend to continue healing while paving my way through the world, picking up projects I started six years ago but couldn't finish. Keep your eyes out for what's in store next!