10 October is recognised by the World Health Organisation as World Mental Health Day, and the theme chosen for 2020 is “Mental Health for All”.
During this time of global uncertainty it seems especially important to care for our own mental health, and to be aware of the mental health needs of others. Each day in the week prior to 10th October I shall be posting poems and stories that explore issues around my own mental health, or that I have written in response to important emotional and psychological themes.
Today I wish to share a chain of short verses, with accompanying images, charting the varying states as my mind went between paranoia – psychosis – depression – rejection – apathy.
don’t step on a crack
don’t break the rhythm
a foot on the boundary
won’t be forgiven
lightly I tread
by souls of the living
giving no sound
no voice to my dread
in vacant glare
and warning stare
my fear is bred
no more can I bear
the crushing cold care
thoughtless ways that they tear
down through my head
down to my root
to the sole of my foot
I’ve lost the last round
my warrant they’ve signed
this final time
a glass of wine
can define
an inner land
made soft, sublime
An important note: The final verse and image refers to ‘a glass’, and is not meant to advocate wine as a solution but rather as a metaphor for external fixes for internal trauma. As such it is definitely not a solution but a harbinger for further problems. Inner problems can only be solved by taking care of the inner person: love, acceptance, being mindful of who you are and how far you’ve come.
But, as with everything, unconditional love.
Everyone is important. The most important person in your life is You.
Cherish yourself.
Thank you for reading my words.
Marilyn X
marilyn unmasked 