Who is Mia Nelson? Young Poet Releases Debut Collection on Love, Nature, and Growing Up

Mia Nelson, a Dartmouth College graduate from the class of 2022, is making her literary debut with a powerful poetry collection titled “I’ve Never Loved Somebody and Made Them Worse.” The book will be released on October 15, exploring the deep emotions of young love, loss, and self-discovery set against the scenic backdrop of New England.

Early Life and Education

Originally from Colorado, Mia Nelson spent her college years at Dartmouth from 2018 to 2022. Her experience at the Ivy League school — shaped by the pandemic, nature, and community — heavily influenced her poetry. She shared that the distance and longing felt during those years became a major theme in her writing.

Nelson spent most of her free time in the outdoors, being active in Cabin and Trail and the Viva Hardigg Outdoors Club. She says that falling in love for the first time in such a beautiful yet unfamiliar environment tied her emotional experiences closely to nature.

The Meaning Behind Her Book Title

The title of her collection comes from a line in her poem “Consolation Prizes.” Nelson explained that the phrase “I’ve never loved somebody and made them worse” reflects her younger, emotional self. It connects with her book’s theme of remembering love truthfully, even when it’s painful.

She adds that the collection captures both the heartbreak and the growth that follow love. “The consolation prize from having loved and lost,” Nelson said, “is knowing you’re capable of it — and these poems are a record of how capable I was.”

Inspiration and Literary Themes

Nelson’s poetry draws inspiration from Greek mythology and literary greats like Louise Glück. In her poem “Myth of Devotion,” she explores the story of Persephone — symbolizing love, desire, and the cycle of seasons — while reflecting on Dartmouth’s long, cold winters.

In “The Odyssey,” she reimagines Penelope, the wife of Odysseus, as a symbol of strength and patience. Through these retellings, Nelson presents a feminist perspective that highlights endurance and self-worth.

A Celebration of Memory and Place

Nelson’s work is filled with rich imagery — red sweatshirts, green landscapes, and fleeting moments in the sun. She explained that these small, vivid details represent the physical memories of love and friendship.

“I love that almost nothing in the world doesn’t remind me of the people that I love,” she said. “That can be painful, but it can also be really meaningful.”

About Mia Nelson Today

Currently, Mia Nelson is a graduate student and predoctoral scholar at the University of Washington. Her debut collection has already been praised by novelist Daisy Alpert Florin, who called it “an intimate and sensuous collection exploring the many permutations of love.”