Notebooks 📝
Couldn’t she see I had to keep my head down to protect myself?
Notebooks 📝
In these many, many notebooks
He’d compulsively write,
Every thought,
Everything to remember,
To structure his speeding train of thoughts,
Using lists to get through each day,
And obsessively chronicling every hurtful or forgotten memory,
To work a way towards freedom..
There were copious positive affirmations, CBT notes to read aloud,
And occasionally a snippet of creative writing.
Keep your head down so
You don’t have to deal with what is right
In front of you..
***
Then she took my book - my inner world,
Just to see my reaction..
“Can I have my book back now please?”
Can you believe she had the audacity?
I sure didn’t.
Then, she kept hold of it on the other side of the table and
Smiled -
Like this was some sort of OCD/response prevention game!
That I was not in the mood for.
Couldn’t she see I had to keep my damn head down down
Down,
To protect myself!?
📓
***
If you would like to read another short free verse about the importance 😅of not touching someone’s books you can do so below. The one above is obviously about me, “Bag of Books” is based on someone else.
If you liked it, please consider hitting the heart, leaving a comment or subscribing for more to encourage my future poems, short stories and film reviews. Many thanks.
About the Creator
Grz Colm
Film and TV reviews, 🎞 as well as short stories and free verse poems.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
Comments (42)
Always like to see mental health discussed in literature. Well done!
Well call me a flaming arsehole as I thought I had commented and liked this already. Totally resonate with this, although it's my computer that is most precious to me and my WIP folder lol. Recently, though, I've taken to writing in a notebook too...if you want to call it "writing" it's like a GP's handwriting. Congrats on Top Story
The AUDACITY! Very well written.
Oh, this was so powerful, Grz! I feel like I've had some similar struggles, through they manifested a little differently than this. However, writing is definitely a way I've used to try to "free" myself. Wonderful expression!
I felt this one, Grz. I had a similar experience as a child. You described that violation so perfectly here. The memory is emblazoned in my mind. Great expression of thought and emotion, and congrats on top story!! 💫💞
Awesome poem. Congratulations on your top story. 🎉🎉🎉
So much said in so few words and lines. If Better Help and similar mental health platforms had a blog, this would be a piece that would resonante with many. Congratulations on Top Story!
I feel you on this one! Wonderful work!
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Congratulations on your Top Story🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
I don't know what to say. You've described your struggle well. Great poem.
Beautifully written, Congratulations❤
i truly understand what it means to "keep you head down to protect yourself. "
Excellent poem and well deserved to see it on Vocal's front page
Beautifully writtten, we need 'notebooks' for self-preservation I think. Poignant and powerful, and resonated hard. Congratulations of a wonderful Top Story! 🤍
Congratulations 🥳
I think she was flirting with you 😊but toying with your emotions, not in a good way. Great poem, Grz
Congratulations ❤️
Congrats on the stop story! This gave me some second hand panic. XD
The ironic part of this poem is that while I have no problem sharing my writings with friends, I feel very awkward sharing them with relatives, including my husband. Is that weird?
So you don't have to deal with what is right In front of you. Ouch. This prickled. ❤ Congratulations!
Wonderful. Congrats on the TS.
Congratulations on Top Story!! I liked the overall feel of this piece!
Hearted earlier!!! Congratulations on Top Story!°❤️❤️💕
Oh you shattered my heart. Truly, what a wonder you presented in such a devastating fashion. Bravo