Where Light and Shadows Play

Delaware's House of Representatives' Poet Laureate and a recipient of the 2024 Delaware Individual Artist Fellowship for Emerging Poets, Joyce draws inspiration from her rural upbringing on a dairy farm in southwest Pennsylvania, where generations of ancestors tilled the same land. Raised with a deep connection to nature and storytelling, Joyce also brings a unique perspective to her poetry thanks to her degrees in English and physics. Her upbringing, influenced by her father, a Conservative Mennonite pastor, instilled a deep sense of tradition and community values.

These formative experiences profoundly influenced Joyce's perspective and shaped her creative journey, leading her to explore the intersection of nature, traditions of lineage, and personal growth. Through her honest and vulnerable poetry, she delves into the profound and often challenging narratives that are frequently overlooked or silenced. Joyce seeks to amplify voices that carry stories of pain and resilience, revealing the intricate interplay between beauty and hidden truths.

Joyce's poetry has been featured in esteemed publications such as Broadkill Review and Gargoyle, inviting readers to contemplate life's complexities and sublimity.