At a time when many teenagers are trying to find purpose in their lives, 18-year old Don-Pharinho Cuffy has published his first book: Thoughts of the Teenage Mind.
The book features poems penned by Cuffy during his studies at Oregon Episcopal School in Portland, Oregon, USA, from which he graduated in June.
According to the Liner Notes, Thoughts of the Teenage Mind asked the question: what if every emotion felt like a thunderstorm – and every moment could rewrite your world?
“Thoughts of the Teenage Mind cracks open the door to adolescence and let you step into the wild, electric pulse of growing up. These aren’t only just poems; they are confessions, screams, dreams and quiet truths scrawled across the heart of youth.
“This collection is raw and real capturing the intensity of first loves and last chances, identity in flux, and the dizzying highs and lows that shape who we become. It is vulnerability and strength holding hands. It’s the beautiful mess of trying to figure it out,” the Liner Notes observed.
Cuffy said the motivation to write the book came from his mother – Dr. Charlotte Cuffy, the Port Health Officer in the Ministry of Health. “I have always been writing; to clear my mind and my thoughts; to speak to God and as an outlet for expression as a teenager. My hope is for this book to serve as an inspiration for other young people who will see it as an example that they too can find creative outlets, whatever their respective talent may be, athletics, music, photography or other forms of expression,” he remarked.
Cuffy moved to Antigua from his native Dominica at age 10. He is a graduate of the St. John’s Academy where he served as Head Boy.
His plans are to return to Oregon in mid-August to begin pre-medical studies en route to becoming a medical doctor.
A book signing for Thoughts of the Teenage Mind was held last weekend and the book is available on Amazon.
