If you know, you know
Content Warning - Plus, I'm okay.
If you know, you know
lights red
time green
step on future
end future
easy for me
to let go
to give in
auto collision desires
tyremarks
leave marks
erase soul marks
Selfish? yes
easy for me
not behind the wheel
under wheel
blackout
quick fix
no fix
pain inherited
by...
those left behind
if you know, you know
"it doesn't really matter"
one step
off the pavement
into nothing
the pull is strong
dive into the cold
loch, lake or river
pulled under
the undercurrent
erase the undercurrent
of sadness
powering my soul
chilling me
erasing everything
blue skin
easy for me
struggle for breath
struggle to stay afloat
pulled under
the lack of breath
the end
quick fix
Blackout
quick fix
no fix
pain inherited
by...everyone left behind
Selfish? yes
easy for me
not the search party
if you know, you know
one dive
off the shore
into nothing
if you know, I'm sorry
burden
may always be there
behind everything
but
hope is there
lift it
give it
burden
pain
suffering
weight of all
suffocating you
help is there
if you know, you know
reach out
under the wheel
under the current
doesn't need to be the end
"Everybody Hurts"
headlights
searchlights
don't need to be the end
*
Thanks for reading!
Author's Notes: More trickle-trickle- publishing. Trust me, I'm alright. Despite how it sounds. Just expressing, getting rid of some stuff.
For something different...
About the Creator
Paul Stewart
Scottish-Italian poet/writer from Glasgow.
Overflowing in English language torture and word abuse.
"Every man has a sane spot somewhere" R.L Stevenson
The Accidental Poet - Poetry Collection is now available!
https://paulspoeticprints.etsy.com
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
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Expert insights and opinions
Arguments were carefully researched and presented
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
Keep reading
More stories from Paul Stewart and writers in Poets and other communities.
Comments (23)
Letting out the toxins slowly so they don't overwhelm the system, creating beauty despite the pain. Well-wrought, friend!
Felt this one Paul. Beautifully expressed but so sad nontheless. So often blackout has felt like a good out x Take care 🤍
Oh shit. I'll believe you when you say you're okay, but knowing that these thoughts have occurred to you means that you haven't been okay in the past, and damn, that is a whole ass story right there. Your stellar poetic voice is really shining bright in this one. The repetition of "if you know you know" and "easy for me" is my favorite part of this; each line creates the rhythm of the piece, frames off particular transitions/themes, like drowning versus falling versus crashing. I can't say I know, exactly, but I kind of do. I relate to the sadness and hopelessness and the hatred of life, but I'm very glad to read the end of this one, as it pokes some holes of hope into the fabric of wanting it all to be over. Fantastic. Ditto to Poppy; my favorite of yours so far. But of course, it's impossible to land on a favorite with your work.
Holey moley, that good. And Rae, and powerful. Well done, Buddy.
Well, I know. Glad you're with us to share this story, and all your others. And then also, like, ditto to everything Poppy said. <3
I'm adding this to my mental list of favourites. The short punchy lines made it so raw and impactful. "lights red time green" I was drawn in by this line but ended up admiring the poem more and more as it went on. "if you know, I'm sorry" That was utterly heartbreaking. If this poem had've found me at a different time, that simple line would've probably brought me to tears. "hope is there lift it give it" So simple and yet powerful. "headlights searchlights don't need to be the end" That ending was the most perfect finish to this marvelous poem. Truly, a beautiful poem - acknowledging the depths of depression etc but still offering hope. I'm going to ignore the subtitle though and make sure, are you doing okay?
Glad you're okay. Well written. Good stuff.
I'm glad you're okay. Still, the words ring far too true for many of us even to make it to your closing adjurations. Yep, next appointment is 11 a.m. Wednesday. We'll see.
I think this is a common intrusive thought. Thanks for sharing this! ☺️ Have a swell day!
Gosh, this was so intense and quite unsettling. Like we gotta always stay vigilant. I'm just glad you're okay but still sending you lots of love and hugs ❤️
Ouch. This poem was such a kick in the gut.😣 I love the statement of the search party. Like you were saying how lost you were, and that they'd never find you. As always, wonderful writing, Paul. Truly poignant and powerful.
Where poetic grit meets the road. No apologies. This...is what it does for us. Bravo Brave One!
Pulling no punches with the hard hitting stuff, today! Did you write it as verses? Sometimes I do that but V loses line breaks.
Oh goodness. I could feel my chest tightening half way through that. Oof. Glad you are ok. This reels and that picture is ace!
Paul you are a brilliant writer. So glad that Hope emerged to offer support. Blessings to you always. Hope you feel better soon.
Quite powerful
You knew you knew...
Well written. If you know, you know.
I love this expression of pain inherited.
Oh the pain of a car accident Good poem
Glad you're okay! That gave me anxiety, lol. Not in a bad way, it's just the effect the words had, racing down the page. Well done!!!
Yep. If you know you know.
Auto collision desires 👏 well written!