The pretence of happiness

Dealing with trauma

If I could erase my memories
Escape this life and this disease
Revive my hope and gently ease
My life to balance, if only please

Instead I balance on the edge
Of life and death and it’s empty pledge
To survive and fight day after day
An Exhausting battle most would say

And only when things start to bloom
Beckons in impending doom
Destroying all you loved and built
To leave behind relentless guilt

The pretence of happiness is a taunting jest
It dangles in sight the moment you rest
And when you manage to rise to your feet
Off it disappears, a moment so fleet

Author's Note

Thank you to anyone who reads this!

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

Amazing use of the language and thoughts.
"The pretence of happiness is a taunting jest
It dangles in sight the moment you rest
And when you manage to rise to your feet
Off it disappears, a moment so fleet"
I did like the above lines. Happiness is fleeting. When near. Hold on tightly. Thank you for sharing your amazing words and thoughts.
Coyote

[barleygirl]

Your poem brings to mind how, for many of us, it takes most of our lives to figure out what we need from life to make ours a fulfilling life. That's why your title is brilliant . . . we all spend a big chunk of our lives, playing like we're happy, pretending to want what everybody else has & bragging about crap we don't even care about having . . . & then so much later in life, some of us realize all that crap was just a theatrical production we were in, not real life (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[The Ink Chapters]

Absolutely, for most of my growing years I worried about such trivial things. As I'm getting older I realize those aren't the things to be valued. I still have much to learn but I'm hoping to see more from life. Thank you for reviewing my work and leaving such honest and great reviews!

[Jex]

I loved this poem so much. It makes me think of a person trying not to give up on what they want because they want that thing so bad that it will make them happy, even if it means compromising your own mental state n the process. It also makes me think of a WEEBTOON called "My Giant Nerd Boyfriend". She did a comic of a person standing in front of a wave and it swallowing them whole into the dark abyss and them trying over and over to rise above the surface to see the beauty of the sky but every time they just make it another wave buries them farther down in the water. Until eventually they were ready to just give up and float in the abyss until a person that cared about them came to their aid and together they rose above the waves and got to see the stars in the sky.
Again this poem really touched me. ITs the quote "so close yet so far"

[The Ink Chapters]

thank you for this kind review. Sounds like a powerful story to rise above the waves and is an interesting take on my poem. It absolutely is a battle to overcome again and again. A desire to survive that stems from our ancestors.

[light and ashes]

I found myself in these words. Yes, trauma is a disease...of the mind and of the soul, great write.

[The Ink Chapters]

thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed :)

[light and ashes]

You're welcome.

[Curtis.Lenker]

This poem is very powerful. I love the rhyme scheme to. This reminds me of my struggle with my mental illness. I thank you for sharing. Raw and emotional just beautifully written.

[The Ink Chapters]

thank you, I appreciate it

[Words of Wisdumb]

Great Job! Accolades and Cheers =)

[The Ink Chapters]

Thank you, feel free to send me read requests on your work! I would love if you checked it out

[Chris Shaw]

Trauma is difficult to live with on a day to day basis. Balancing on the edge, precarious. Your lines describing the ongoing battle and rare moments of fleeting happiness. Some people get a raw deal in life. Your poem is nicely composed with end rhyming. You left me pondering on my own good fortune.
First of yours I have read.

Chris

[The Ink Chapters]

Thanks, I appreciate your review. If you have anything you would like me to read in specific let me know and I will give you my thoughts :) have a great day/night

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much. I would be honoured that you call on any of my poems. Your choice would be my delight. All good wishes.

Chris