You had antiseptic hands and medicinal words and I placed my trust in them, told you it was heavier than the pieces of my heart.
Now walking outside feels like going to war, breathing tastes like suffocation and staying alive is the hardest thing I have ever had to do.
We once painted each other the yellow of sunflowers, when the world was so dark we didn’t know how to turn to the sun.
Now I am feeling like I’m six feet under, wishing I was… and your every day seems to be a fever dream of laughter and lullabies.
I am dying on a self-made battlefield, remembering the days I manoeuvred you away from a similar sight, shredding my brain trying to figure out how you could leave me here; wearing blood and broken armour and resignation.
What I am trying to say is, I think your old self would’ve been proud of me. And I am trying to focus on that, instead of the fact that your new self doesn’t think of me at all.
❀❀❀❀❀
Author's Note: I'm doing much better now, just channeling past emotions into poetry. Thanks for reading.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
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Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Remembering the rink
If you were there, you’ll never forget it. For decades, Durham Ice Rink was at the heart of the city’s social life. From Friday night ice discos to crowds roaring on the Wasps every Sunday, not to mention a proud history of figure skating and speed skating, the riverside rink was the place to be.
By Andy Potts4 days ago in Art
Comments (10)
I'm glad you're doing better now. That was such a vivid piece.
Love this. Really vivid imagery and emotion. Well done!
Powerful yet sad. Wonderful poetry, you always write so beautifully, no matter the subject. Glad you’re doing better, Poppy
Raw and relatable...glad you are better now. Great poem!
Such a clever well worded first stanza and a jarring punch at the close with such raw resounding emotion in the middle!
Hold on to the thought ‘I think your old self would’ve been proud of me. And I am trying to focus on that’✅
And thanks for the authors note, because this is glisteningly raw.
Glad to know you're doing better Poppy. Sending you lots of love and hugs ❤️
I'm not crying, you are... oh my goodness Poppy!! *Snaps and claps* The whole thing was one big gut punch, the last stanza is what took me out. So sorry you have experienced the remembrance of a lovers past self, and live in the pain of knowing that version of them no longer exists and isn 't dwelling on past thoughts of you... It's a pain like none other!
Gut-wrenching and heartbreaking!!!