c u r r e n t
state of mind | inverse poem challenge
if i emerge on the other side of my edges
i *know* are available to me
vast oceans of growth and freedom
but I am awash in thoughts of
the churning darkness trying to envelop my mind
i will not allow myself to become englufed in
the little waves of happiness of this present moment
because i am submerged in
paralyzing thought patterns from my past
and
suffocating fear of the future
in my current state of mind
i cannot see
in order to save myself from the fluxing of the tide
that i must grasp the small streams of blessings that lead to rivers of gratitude
i am consumed by the notion
this deluge of suffering is my story to own but
i have been told that
if i can learn to float through the torrent
there is an abundance of truths to be found yet
i feel
i am powerless against this crushing mental tide
and i repudiate the idea that
there is strength in me to overcome these limiting beliefs
i am drowning in a sea of tumultuous thoughts
and i can't understand how
in this blinding darkness
light can be found
***************************************
now read from bottom to top
About the Creator
Kristen Balyeat
Words fly to me on the wind, bump into me as I'm strolling the city, splash me in the face while I rest by the river, and shake me awake in the middle of the night– I’m humbly one of the many vessels they use to come to life.
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WHATEVER HAPPENED TO ELLEN MARIE
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO ELLEN MARIE *** just had to know *** ++++++++++++ As Mike drove through the town he hadn’t seen in about twenty years, he wondered about those he’d left behind when he left for what he thought would be “greener pastures.” He wanted to make his mark on the world. Determination drove him and the little town of Meadowville wasn’t where he wanted to be.
By Margaret Brennan3 days ago in Fiction
Comments (21)
Hey, I don’t even think I ended up trying this structure, but this is brilliant! Very soul affirming and such a cool inverse! I feel like I’m right there at the “if i can learn to float through the torrent” ! I hope that if you were feeling this you have slowly learnt to do so! I do hope you have been going well Kristen. Sorry I’ve been so out of touch. Had a bit of a vocal break early in year. . Last couple of months getting back into it slowly. I trust you are going well? Best wishes sent! ☺️💚🙏
This is incredible. I love the complete change of emotion. I teach a group of teen girls in my church and I would love to share this with them. It's a great illustration of how what you focus on can change your perspective.
Love this , great words
So sweet how you did this. Powerful!
Congratulations on TS!!
Congrats on Top Story!🥳🥳🥳
A powerful piece! Congrats on top story!
This was beautifully written and well executed. I really enjoyed spending time with your poem. 💛
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
I liked your writing, congratulations.
I prefer from bottom up. A very good entry for the inverse challenge and as always so beautiful. I read different meanings in this. No words ever seem forced when you write. Congratulations
I'm really impressed by the way you managed to write the same poem in reverse with two opposite meanings, well done!
Well done on this and congrats on a belated Top Story...lol 15 days late! Well done pal. Hope you're alright over there?
This is a great entry, my friend. I can definitely relate to thought flowing like water, and sometimes drowning in them. I especially love the positivity in the reverse version. Well done.
This is a very special piece. I love how hopeless it is from top to bottom but how resilient and hopeful it is the other way. Absolutely great job!
👏👏👏 A stream of greatness! Two of them in fact. This is a strong contender, my friend. Loved every bit of it! 💖
Oooo, I learned a new word today, repudiate! Also, your poem was a freaking powerful masterpiece! It reads so well forwards and in reverse!
The difference between those of us who look up & those who look down.
Whatever this concept is trying to tell you, I'm glad you're going with the flow. A great read in both directions, my friend!
ooh I do like the inverse , it was a different feel. Both ways flow beautifully yet I like the reverse.
I don’t know why the ocean/river water concept keeps calling to me, but I’m honoring it by sitting with the lessons it has to teach. It’s trying to tell me something…