Tropes and archetypes have been the backbone of storytelling for millennia, portraying characters predestined to fulfill certain roles before they even have a chance to discover their true selves. However, this traditional narrative approach isn’t the only path stories can take. The Relic of Trying employs epic, romantic poetry to breathe life into a variety of characters and settings, who find themselves in peculiar predicaments.

Imagine a God killer burdened with guilt, a fresh retelling of the dancing plague, or a robot that fails to achieve its intended function. In this collection, perspectives are shifted, casting historical narratives in a human light. The poems explore the intersection of performance, obligation and free will, weaving through diverse epochs and reinterpreting myths and legends.

These poems break away from focusing on the protagonists’ triumphs; instead, they delve into tales of their struggles and failures, offering a unique and humanizing take on timeless narratives.