Diverting, distracting, dazzling, anything really to keep the masses entertained, bamboozled, hoodwinked
Into believing she's okay. That she's not one foot out the fucking door,
Struggling in silence, brushing it all off with puns and laughs and oddball jokes.
The last thing she needs is a spotlight or questions. Better to
Redirect, 'look at the birdie over here.' Everything an act and not even a brave one,
A cowardly smoke screen, riddled with holes,
Costing more energy than she has to give.
The worst part
Is they've been so consumed with her distractions that
On closer inspection, they realize too late–she's
Not been alive for some time.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Masterful proofreading
Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
Expert insights and opinions
Arguments were carefully researched and presented
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Comments (24)
"Not been alive for some time" - what a gut punch! Nicely done.
I remember reading this - forgot to comment. Damn, Heather. You really took this in a dark direction. It was some mighty powerful stuff! It didn't really feel like an acrostic either. I was suitably distracted because I was worried about the person in the poem! Great work!
Wow Heather, that was way darker then I anticipated this going. I was glued to every raw, heart-felt word and loved this poem! "Not been alive for some time." was just shocking but also not, your poor character was dead inside all along. Heartbreaking and yet inspiring!
This was raw and real! The emotion I felt while reading this are going to sit with me. This was very well done! ❤️
Magnificent and Real❤️🔥💯😉 Great Job Heather❗❗
This hit hard. 😣
Awesome interpretive entry for the challenge. It weighs more than a ton of bricks!
Oof, this hit me so hard! This is what I do most of the time so people don't realise I've been long dead. Your poem was so relatable and brilliant!
Jesus, woman. That last line shook me. You are brilliant.
Wow!! Outstanding entry. This hits so hard.
Outstanding Heather. You're dealing with some universal truths here that many don't want to see. Still, I hope it gets T.S. exposure anyway somehow!
That last line hits like a train. This is so well written. You really capture the emotions of suffering in silence with a fake smile. Hiding the broken pieces behind laughter. The eyes usually give the pain away, but only to people who are truly seeing, not just looking.
Very good. they keep us distracted
Emotionally awesome, sad but relevant and that last line brings it home. Great work, Heather!
Well done 👍👏
Oh my 🥹❤️ You are so brilliant, my friend! This is exquisitely done. This hit hard; you nailed it.
Brilliantly written and heartbreaking at the same time. Life can be freaking hard!
and that she is, and those they are, nice beginning H2 😊
A truly awesome, but terribly. sad poem. ❤️
Oh I can so relate to this poem. The constant of trying to keep it together. The last line says it all. ❤️
Perceptive. Well written. Love it. ☺️💙👍
Great last line, and great observation on how many times people only want to see what they are comfortable with
😭😩…. I’ve definitely felt like this many times. I love this piece (but hate how it feels at the same time). ❤️❤️❤️
Wow!!! What an ending!!! 💖💖💕