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I’m in My Land of Nothingness

An Octet for a struggling mind

By Calvin LondonPublished 12 months ago • 1 min read
Author's image created in NightCafe_2025

I struggle to keep my head above the water,

The weight of the world weighs me down.

I started not to do things that I oughta,

Life is slowly grinding me down.

I’ll bounce back of that, I’m sure,

I’m a fighter, not a loser,

But I didn’t know how much more

Of this lifestyle, I can endure.

I feel like I’m swimming in a tidal rip,

All I want is some still water.

There is no peace, a sinking ship,

I feel like I am drowning in the water,

No peace, no calm, no light at all,

I am drowning from the inside.

I feel like I am about to fall,

I just want the water to subside.

One day seems just like the other.

No light and never any spark,

Sometimes I don't know why I bother.

My life is full of dark,

Too many things to handle,

No sign of any willingness,

I need to light a candle,

In my land of nothingness.

In this land of nothingness,

Where nothing seems quite fair,

I can’t give into impulsiveness,

I have to reignite my care.

I must get a grip on what I have got,

Start swimming to that still, calm pond.

Reflect on all that I have, but maybe I forgot,

It’s time that I woke up and started to respond.

[Author’s Note: An octet poem with a repeating rhyme in each stanza – ABABCDCD. It talks about the internal mental struggles of a mind that is haunted by confusion and despair. A life that seems both disappointing and yet overwhelming. A struggle that continues, but a mind that will not give in to it.]

Till next time,

Calvin

An entry for the Masks We Wear challenge:

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About the Creator

Calvin London

I write fiction, non-fiction and poetry about all things weird and wonderful, past and present. Life is full of different things to spark your imagination. All you have to do is embrace it - join me on my journey.

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    Written by Calvin London