Poetry competition CLOSED 7th October 2022 11:18am
WINNER
SweetKittyCat5
SweetKittyCat5
RUNNER-UP:
nightbirdblue
World Suicide Prevention Day
The Y Chromosome
Must be tall, must be funny
Must have the looks, must have money
Must have muscle, must have the fight
If not, then don't bother swiping right
Must be into sports, must always be tough
Must bottle up your feelings, must do other 'guy stuff'
Must handle your drink, must enjoy a good smoke
If you don't do these things, are you even a real bloke?
Must pay half your assets, must play the court's game
Must give up the children, must take all the blame
Must be left broken, must bring your life to a halt
If you do all of this, it'll still be your fault
Mustn't be weak, must not cry
Mustn't speak out, must not try
Mustn't ever run, must not hide
But once every minute, a man commits suicide.
Must have the looks, must have money
Must have muscle, must have the fight
If not, then don't bother swiping right
Must be into sports, must always be tough
Must bottle up your feelings, must do other 'guy stuff'
Must handle your drink, must enjoy a good smoke
If you don't do these things, are you even a real bloke?
Must pay half your assets, must play the court's game
Must give up the children, must take all the blame
Must be left broken, must bring your life to a halt
If you do all of this, it'll still be your fault
Mustn't be weak, must not cry
Mustn't speak out, must not try
Mustn't ever run, must not hide
But once every minute, a man commits suicide.
Written by Adzy
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No words
There are words for someone who has lost a spouse:
they are widow or widower.
We have a name for someone who has lost their parents:
they are an orphan.
So why is there no word for parents
who have survived the unimaginable—
the loss of a child?
And whilst acknowledging that there's a world of difference
between their experience and mine,
why are there no words to describe parents of a child
who has attempted suicide and come back from the brink?
I mean, I've done that twice— but I was grown;
my mother never knew, and my father wasn't there.
So they were none the wiser,
and if I had succeeded, I would be oblivious too
because I would be dead.
There is no short, easy way
to explain to anybody what has happened to her;
no convenient word to describe her attempts
or the dubious club I now belong to.
No palatable option for letting others know
that my child could not bear the life I gave her.
No descriptions vivid enough to articulate
the painful, slow steps back into living
or the beautiful, symbiotic relationship we share.
And so, in the absence of suitable terminology,
she draws, I write, we talk, we make music,
hoping that we find an outlet there
and beauty in the pain.
they are widow or widower.
We have a name for someone who has lost their parents:
they are an orphan.
So why is there no word for parents
who have survived the unimaginable—
the loss of a child?
And whilst acknowledging that there's a world of difference
between their experience and mine,
why are there no words to describe parents of a child
who has attempted suicide and come back from the brink?
I mean, I've done that twice— but I was grown;
my mother never knew, and my father wasn't there.
So they were none the wiser,
and if I had succeeded, I would be oblivious too
because I would be dead.
There is no short, easy way
to explain to anybody what has happened to her;
no convenient word to describe her attempts
or the dubious club I now belong to.
No palatable option for letting others know
that my child could not bear the life I gave her.
No descriptions vivid enough to articulate
the painful, slow steps back into living
or the beautiful, symbiotic relationship we share.
And so, in the absence of suitable terminology,
she draws, I write, we talk, we make music,
hoping that we find an outlet there
and beauty in the pain.
Written by Wafflenose
(Ellie)
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Ideation
She told me that everything was going to be alright
If I just took some pills, pills that would put me to sleep forever
She told me eternal sleep would help unravel a mind that runs so rapid
She promised no more pain and that everything would be ok
I took her pills and lay to die and she didn't free me
From this prison of endless pain
Where my soul seems to always lie
Pain from the past, pain from the present, pain from the future
There is no way out of this glass prison,
No weapon to bring the walls crumbling down
I can't breathe in this prison, I'm lost and afraid
Confused and defeated, no more energy to fight her
She is winning this war and she knows it
I lose myself more and more
She knows they anchor me and she goes after the memories I have of them
Pressing on the pain that was already there and the fear of what their future will be
Even in this pain, I love them, even in this prison they are my light
I beg for her to let me go and she clings to me even more
What is this prison that I can't be free
Just when I believe I am, she shows her face again
In the end, I must fight and victory will be within my reach
If I just took some pills, pills that would put me to sleep forever
She told me eternal sleep would help unravel a mind that runs so rapid
She promised no more pain and that everything would be ok
I took her pills and lay to die and she didn't free me
From this prison of endless pain
Where my soul seems to always lie
Pain from the past, pain from the present, pain from the future
There is no way out of this glass prison,
No weapon to bring the walls crumbling down
I can't breathe in this prison, I'm lost and afraid
Confused and defeated, no more energy to fight her
She is winning this war and she knows it
I lose myself more and more
She knows they anchor me and she goes after the memories I have of them
Pressing on the pain that was already there and the fear of what their future will be
Even in this pain, I love them, even in this prison they are my light
I beg for her to let me go and she clings to me even more
What is this prison that I can't be free
Just when I believe I am, she shows her face again
In the end, I must fight and victory will be within my reach
Written by shanal
(Jaqui Camp)
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As She Lay Crying
As. Was. When
Auburn bundle
Stoned the pavement
Ring a Ring o’ Roses
Pocket full of voices,
How can a child comprehend
Wordscapes without faces?
We all fall down
Literary terrorist,
She wanted to burn it all down,
But matches only lit cigarettes and
Edges of stolen library books
Writing poetry in guise
Of sultry French widow,
Simone stalked Seine banks
Coffined illness into symbolist wreath
Always a bit on the side
- Thespian starring as usherette,
Complaining ‘men only
Want me for my dirty deeds.’
Stroking bandaged wrists
Her Mother pleaded
“Promise me, we won’t
Have to bury you.”
Life stalked in intervals of sanity
Satin laundry of heavenly cloth,
Until
Nothing of hers endures…...
No hymns to her
Or lover mourning,
Just a hole in the paper sky
Ripped by outstretched arm
As. Was. When she jumped
Auburn bundle
Stoned the pavement
Ring a Ring o’ Roses
Pocket full of voices,
How can a child comprehend
Wordscapes without faces?
We all fall down
Literary terrorist,
She wanted to burn it all down,
But matches only lit cigarettes and
Edges of stolen library books
Writing poetry in guise
Of sultry French widow,
Simone stalked Seine banks
Coffined illness into symbolist wreath
Always a bit on the side
- Thespian starring as usherette,
Complaining ‘men only
Want me for my dirty deeds.’
Stroking bandaged wrists
Her Mother pleaded
“Promise me, we won’t
Have to bury you.”
Life stalked in intervals of sanity
Satin laundry of heavenly cloth,
Until
Nothing of hers endures…...
No hymns to her
Or lover mourning,
Just a hole in the paper sky
Ripped by outstretched arm
As. Was. When she jumped
Written by Strangeways_Rob
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Saving winters child
When comes the frost that sows the seed
a patterned haw, its brittle plea
its whisper, only self can hear
a secret shared with only me
And who can break your winters child
for in normality, it resides
for there is very little sign
to break the plan on deaths designs
In quiet isolation, time to brood
the winters child, alone is stood
family and friends, don't have a clue
the ache to be misunderstood
Samaritans with angel's tread
a silent reach beyond the dread
a moment to step back from the edge
leave the note unfinished yet
For there is love for a winter's child
and from life's freezing fog, unhides
for each loss, it hurts, the ever while
listen close, to hear it thaw tactile
Who can conscript, the strength to heal
see the cracks that lie concealed
my traumas blindfold darkness feel
help chose life, as death can't be repealed
Weigh the anchor on my heavy chains
and easy path to go, much harder to remain
admit depression and despair is never lame
considering, its repercussions maim
Then winters child will feel a warming flame
a patterned haw, its brittle plea
its whisper, only self can hear
a secret shared with only me
And who can break your winters child
for in normality, it resides
for there is very little sign
to break the plan on deaths designs
In quiet isolation, time to brood
the winters child, alone is stood
family and friends, don't have a clue
the ache to be misunderstood
Samaritans with angel's tread
a silent reach beyond the dread
a moment to step back from the edge
leave the note unfinished yet
For there is love for a winter's child
and from life's freezing fog, unhides
for each loss, it hurts, the ever while
listen close, to hear it thaw tactile
Who can conscript, the strength to heal
see the cracks that lie concealed
my traumas blindfold darkness feel
help chose life, as death can't be repealed
Weigh the anchor on my heavy chains
and easy path to go, much harder to remain
admit depression and despair is never lame
considering, its repercussions maim
Then winters child will feel a warming flame
Written by slipalong
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Do Not Lose Hope
You may have lost the sparkle in your eyes
Or the pep in your step, but do not forget
That people still love you. You hold regrets,
But do not forget that although goodbyes
Are easier for you, your hellos and smiles
Are what makes this world a better place.
You may want to leave without a trace
Or leave this earth with all these miles
Between you and everyone else, but no
One else could ever be like you. So when
The words slip away, hold onto that pen
Tight as your story has not lost its glow.
Do not lose any hope as others need it
Too. Others need to know that they are
Never alone. They have the hidden scars
No one else knows about, but bit by bit
They are healing as they hear your story.
They should never have to worry about
How they survived. They are allowed
To survive. Some simply live for the glory
And some live for the pain, but no one
Knows the pain of feeling so empty and
So lost. I hope that you take my hand
So that I can guide you into the sun
Where there is no need to lose your hope
Or need to end your life before it really
Begins. Some may have lost all their frilly
Edges as they tried to loosen the rope
That they hung around their necks, but
They are only going to leave this world
Covered in darkness. Your hope is unfurled
Like a flower waiting to bloom in every rut
And every ditch, even if you do not see
It. Darling, you are the bright star among
The dull ones just like you are the unsung
Song in the dark. I hope you know me
And everyone else like you know you.
Never lose sight of that faith you lost
Once on the distant horizon. The frost
Will not fade away and you are not too
Much of a burden for others to carry or
Bear. It is your one life you cannot ignore.
Or the pep in your step, but do not forget
That people still love you. You hold regrets,
But do not forget that although goodbyes
Are easier for you, your hellos and smiles
Are what makes this world a better place.
You may want to leave without a trace
Or leave this earth with all these miles
Between you and everyone else, but no
One else could ever be like you. So when
The words slip away, hold onto that pen
Tight as your story has not lost its glow.
Do not lose any hope as others need it
Too. Others need to know that they are
Never alone. They have the hidden scars
No one else knows about, but bit by bit
They are healing as they hear your story.
They should never have to worry about
How they survived. They are allowed
To survive. Some simply live for the glory
And some live for the pain, but no one
Knows the pain of feeling so empty and
So lost. I hope that you take my hand
So that I can guide you into the sun
Where there is no need to lose your hope
Or need to end your life before it really
Begins. Some may have lost all their frilly
Edges as they tried to loosen the rope
That they hung around their necks, but
They are only going to leave this world
Covered in darkness. Your hope is unfurled
Like a flower waiting to bloom in every rut
And every ditch, even if you do not see
It. Darling, you are the bright star among
The dull ones just like you are the unsung
Song in the dark. I hope you know me
And everyone else like you know you.
Never lose sight of that faith you lost
Once on the distant horizon. The frost
Will not fade away and you are not too
Much of a burden for others to carry or
Bear. It is your one life you cannot ignore.
Written by eswaller
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Anonymous
<< post removed >>
One
Neutral November’s
eerie early morning air
carries the whispers of finches
that hide in naked branches
I whistle back, entangle in song
reread my letters- a stack
of seven pages, packed, each
with a different address, left
out in the open less one
tucked into my jacket, I leave
towards the Subway line
rock with my pace, I hold
one letter close and kiss it,
drop it, hear it fall inside the
red box, knowing she will read it
before all meaning fades
I fear I have made the
mistake of leaving other
explanations to be discovered
today, I hear this oncoming train
coming fast. Here, where my
decision will last (beyond me)
Not one thing is choice. One
birdsong unsung, one written
word left for loved ones; delivered
or not, one moment of waiting;
getting on, or fatefully falling
between me and tomorrow:
one touch, one call, one breath.
eerie early morning air
carries the whispers of finches
that hide in naked branches
I whistle back, entangle in song
reread my letters- a stack
of seven pages, packed, each
with a different address, left
out in the open less one
tucked into my jacket, I leave
towards the Subway line
rock with my pace, I hold
one letter close and kiss it,
drop it, hear it fall inside the
red box, knowing she will read it
before all meaning fades
I fear I have made the
mistake of leaving other
explanations to be discovered
today, I hear this oncoming train
coming fast. Here, where my
decision will last (beyond me)
Not one thing is choice. One
birdsong unsung, one written
word left for loved ones; delivered
or not, one moment of waiting;
getting on, or fatefully falling
between me and tomorrow:
one touch, one call, one breath.
Written by ursa
Go To Page
Related submission no longer exists.
The winner of this competition and any runners up were decided by public vote.
Thank you to the following members for voting:
monovox128, nutbuster, olivia, Honoria, Josh, AspergerPoet56, Rianne, Phantom2426, lepperochan, ChynaBay311, Marks, eswaller, Razzerleaf, runaway-mindtrain, mysteriouslady, Eerie, Northern_Soul, admin, ursa, DanielChristensen, nervsy, Isgyppie_, ReggiePoet, Daevileyes, jIMNUT_rOARIN, Poetic_License, MadameLavender, Tallen, Wafflenose, deepinside
Thank you to the following members for voting:
monovox128, nutbuster, olivia, Honoria, Josh, AspergerPoet56, Rianne, Phantom2426, lepperochan, ChynaBay311, Marks, eswaller, Razzerleaf, runaway-mindtrain, mysteriouslady, Eerie, Northern_Soul, admin, ursa, DanielChristensen, nervsy, Isgyppie_, ReggiePoet, Daevileyes, jIMNUT_rOARIN, Poetic_License, MadameLavender, Tallen, Wafflenose, deepinside
I just wanted to take the time to congratulate all the entries in this competition. I will have to say, we all collaborated and won as one for such a sensitive subject to speak about, not to forgot, for the ones who are to frighten to seek profession help.
In addition, I will have to thank the runner ups as well, Nightbirdblue and Feral and bow in poetic respect to the host, Casted_Runes (Mr Karswell) for hosting the nature of this awareness competition.
988 (1-800-273-8255 will continue to work for some time)
To chat online with a national suicide hotline counselor, click here: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/
See the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website: http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
For the hearing impaired, contact the Lifeline by TTY at: 1-800-799-4889
The Veterans suicide hotline (Veterans Crisis Line) 1-800-273-8255
Teen suicide hotline (Thursday's Child National Youth Advocacy Hotline): 1-800-USA-KIDS (872-5437) (available 24 hours a day, seven days a week)
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) Suicide Hotline (the Trevor Lifeline):
1-866-488-7386 (available 24 hours a day, seven days a week)
Everyone please look out for each other throughout this festive holiday and treat one another as you would like to be treated yourself.
Love and Hugs,
SKC🐾🐾
In addition, I will have to thank the runner ups as well, Nightbirdblue and Feral and bow in poetic respect to the host, Casted_Runes (Mr Karswell) for hosting the nature of this awareness competition.
988 (1-800-273-8255 will continue to work for some time)
To chat online with a national suicide hotline counselor, click here: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/
See the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website: http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
For the hearing impaired, contact the Lifeline by TTY at: 1-800-799-4889
The Veterans suicide hotline (Veterans Crisis Line) 1-800-273-8255
Teen suicide hotline (Thursday's Child National Youth Advocacy Hotline): 1-800-USA-KIDS (872-5437) (available 24 hours a day, seven days a week)
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) Suicide Hotline (the Trevor Lifeline):
1-866-488-7386 (available 24 hours a day, seven days a week)
Everyone please look out for each other throughout this festive holiday and treat one another as you would like to be treated yourself.
Love and Hugs,
SKC🐾🐾
