deepundergroundpoetry.com
How Do I Get It Out Of My Head?
There is one image I will never get out of my head
As much as I wish I could wash it from my memory forever
My father laying semi conscious in a hospital bed
Fighting the sedation when he hears us speaking in the hall nearby
An incision his collar to his waist
A tube down his throat,
A look of utter terror on his face
The nurse has us move away from the room
Trying to avoid startling him
My father needs his rest
Still as he can possibly be
My father kept trying to wake up
So they put him under
The phrase "medically induced coma"
Is one I will never forget
He was awake in less than a day,
And home in less than a week
But still when I can't sleep at night
That image plays in my mind
A tube in his throat,
Fear in his eyes,
Arm extended in our direction,
Reaching for the ones he loves.
That is one image I can never get out of my head
How do I get it out of my head?
As much as I wish I could wash it from my memory forever
My father laying semi conscious in a hospital bed
Fighting the sedation when he hears us speaking in the hall nearby
An incision his collar to his waist
A tube down his throat,
A look of utter terror on his face
The nurse has us move away from the room
Trying to avoid startling him
My father needs his rest
Still as he can possibly be
My father kept trying to wake up
So they put him under
The phrase "medically induced coma"
Is one I will never forget
He was awake in less than a day,
And home in less than a week
But still when I can't sleep at night
That image plays in my mind
A tube in his throat,
Fear in his eyes,
Arm extended in our direction,
Reaching for the ones he loves.
That is one image I can never get out of my head
How do I get it out of my head?
Published 7th Dec 2023
Author's Note
I haven't written much recently, life has been hectic to put it mildly
Thankfully my father healed well from his surgery, he is home safely, and getting a little stronger every day.
Thankfully my father healed well from his surgery, he is home safely, and getting a little stronger every day.
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7th Dec 2023 3:19am
I was taught by a therapist to use thought interruption. At first I thought it was a trite concept but with practice it has helped with my ptsd. The idea is that at the start of the thought you think of something else that has a strong memory presence. It's like burying it almost? Kinda? A swerve if you will. I'm so sorry you've gone through this. Your poem really hit me in the gut. I hope maybe this helps.
8th Dec 2023 1:35am
Thank you!
I will try it, I definitely have had a lot of negative thoughts and images recently. Life has been kicking my families ass recently, and the hits just keep coming.
Hopefully this trick helps, so I can get some peace, especially at night.
I will try it, I definitely have had a lot of negative thoughts and images recently. Life has been kicking my families ass recently, and the hits just keep coming.
Hopefully this trick helps, so I can get some peace, especially at night.
8th Dec 2023 7:40am
