tense

they said

breathe

calm down

take a break

take a holiday

get well from

your within

deep

your feelings

let them out

let them flow

into the oceans

wave

the froth

shout them into

starry

moonlit sky

get well from

your deep

within

the only problem there

is if i stand on beach

half naked

at midnight hour there

theyll lock me up

for screaming out

my feelings

to some ocean

wave

as strangers

shine their

glary torchlights there

there is a battle

in this world

to be normal

to be perfect

to be successful

fruitful

loving kind

good looking

ageless

no wrinkles

showing under make up there

we are all prisoners

of the dreams

and aspirations

we build around us

thats why

its better not to

expect anything of anyone

or ourselves

so when they tell me to breathe

real slow

or to heal myself within

you know

i just think ill

laugh and tell them

this is me

and so the story goes

Author's Note

snippets of me in here not all
writing this for all mental health sufferers

Reviews

[Nathan Spark]

Yeah ... I love it from top to bottom!

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right dear Julie.
"we are all prisoners
of the dreams
and aspirations
we build around us"
The above lines. Our foundation and our downfall. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)]

Thankyou for your very kind review
i do hope all is well with you

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome and I'm well. I hope you are doing good and enjoying the days of Spring.

[Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)]

I’m in Sydney’s autumn just had summer enjoy your spring !!

[Coyote Poetry]

Now I'm confused. Happy Autumn.

[sette]

because we are confined by norms and dictates of the society. freedom is a kind of addiction that we have to get used to but if there are no people to be trampled along the way, there is nothing wrong with being free.

[Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)]

Thankyou so much SEtte for your insightful review x

[sette]

you are welcome

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Yes, this poem rings so true Julie...we build our own prisons with all of our (and society’s)“great expectations”- well, that only gets you a burned house and wedding dress, Mr. Dickens and I say! Love your minimalist style, striking flow and honest, believable words- every line on-point and so ‘touché to the world- the ‘healthy, beautiful 1%. You have lived and struggled and learned. So, when they tell you to “breathe real slow “....look right through them, keep laughing and just do it your way. Brava my friend!

[Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)]

Annette thankyou for your very kind long review very lovely i do hope you are well xx

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

You’re welcome Julie! Thanks, I’m doing ok-hanging in there. I hope you are well and happy.:))

[Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)]

Hi Anzac Day here at home watching the marches on tv xx

[DeborahMarie]

Very heartfelt and beautiful this speaks out, I have a friend who is struggling and this poem covers it so well

[Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)]

Thankyou for your kind review and words.
I do pray for your friend xxx

[DeborahMarie]

Thank you very much

[jacob erin-cilberto]

we are all victims of our own thoughts of perfection...but we are not perfect and should be okay with that...
expectations are often set too high.
part of this reminded me of a line in Harry and Son...when Robbie Benson says to Paul Newman..."Dad, why did you stand there screaming at the ocean?"

j.

[Julie McCarthy (juliespenhere)]

Thanks Jacob
For your insight and review