top of page
Search
Writer's pictureAlice Wyatt

And To All a Good Night...

This poem is three of three. I posted them on three consecutive days instead of once a week because they belong together. Why these? Now? The holidays are often brutal for people with mental illness or suffering from trauma (probably all of us!). Our carefully crafted coping mechanisms are overrun by all things merry and bright. Old patterns of must-haves or must do's overtake us. Too much. Too much. Too much. There isn't enough time, or energy, or money to keep up with the media blitz of a perfect American Holiday Season. Families aren't perfect because people aren't perfect. Old hurts are dragged up like ornaments on a tree, there for everyone to gaze at until they are stuffed into a box and ignored for another whole year. We thought we were all better - until we realized we aren't.


Be kind to yourself. Be kind to one another. Give extra hugs. Spread cheer, joy, hope, and love with thoughtful words and small kindnesses. Love sinks into hearts and stays long past the time when a fancy gift is forgotten. Honor boundaries people put on their time and energy. Forgive them on their dark days; celebrate the bright ones they offer to share with you. They are working to be their best selves because they love you. I am working to be my best self because I love you.


xxx ooo

Alice -------


Beneath the Surface III


Oh, I have been here

So many times before

Never Fear!

I have a list of Coping Skills!!


have I eaten? - eggs and toast

a bit of yoga? - 10 minutes

written in my journal? - 3 pages


hmmmmmm - not working


relaxing activity? - play with baby chicks'

affirmation of worth? - reread a love letter


hmmmmmm - double hmmmmm - disaster is near


the grey lowers

turns to black

limbs grow heavy

mental clarity fading

oozing apathy overtaking


NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

heaving sobs startle the cats


Time for

The Last Resort


BACK TO BED



I strip off my clothes

slide between the sheets

earplugs shut out the noise

of a happy

productive

normal

world

going on without me


__________________________________________________________________


1:30 pm my clock announces

as I wake

stretch

yawn

hop out of bed

into the shower


Let’s Try This Day Again Shall We?

40 views1 comment

Recent Posts

See All

1 Kommentar


buddecarlson
buddecarlson
09. Dez. 2021

I'm pretty sure my day cannot go on without you.

Gefällt mir
Post: Blog2_Post
bottom of page