Tell me how

Please, tell me how

To speak

In this cruel, messed up hell.

Where the silence twists rewards,

But my lungs are prison cells.

Please, tell me how 

To see

In this cruel, messed up hell.

Where darkness isn't an old friend,

But blindness feels so safe. So strange.

Please, tell me how

To hear

In this cruel, messed up hell.

Where kindness lost its voice,

But malicious whispers yell.

Please, tell me how

To touch

In this cruel, messed up hell.

Where embraces feel so absent,

But the crater's fists have left their scars.

Please, tell me how

To leave

From this cruel, messed up hell.

Where hatred feels so normal,

But the victim's always me.

Author's Note

A painful reply to someone who suffers from a mental illness that I've heard many times: "You don't look sick at all. I know how to make you get over the phase."
So, to those of you who cannot understand what is like to fight with a mental illness and just want to sound `smart`, just calm down. If you don't have a genuine wish of helping someone who is in this situation, it would be best if you don't twist the knife in the wound. If you are so knowledgeable, then I invite you to answer the questions I formulated for you in this poem. Only adequate answers allowed. Thank you!

I wrote this poem today during one course at the university. It's my first year and I try to manage my mental health as much as I can. And thankfully, I'm doing better. As I said, a sad memory triggered some of my unanswered questions. If you know someone who's struggling, be a helping hand, not a source of distress. Be kind and informed. I send all my love to those of you who suffer and to those who help. You're true warriors!

I hope you will enjoy my little piece! :)

Reviews

[Haley]

This is a really strong and great piece and definitely speaks to someone telling you that you don't look sick enough. I have been told that many times before and it left me puzzled, questioning if my own mental health was really that bad because I "didn't look sick". It's a terrible feeling but it produced this wonderful poem. Good job!

[LylaCrystal]

Thank you for the review! Lots of hugs!

[Karmee]

Such a powerful write, i like that last stanza, I can feel your emotions

[Unspoken poet]

I suffer from depression and know the feeling of this write, This speaks to me really strong.

[Kerra]

WOW!! I can feel this write, as I have depression and PTSD. I know the feelings all too well. Nicely expressed

[LylaCrystal]

Thank you for the review! Sending you hugs!

[Kuldeep desai]

this depiction of a voice from person in pain or in illness very well written......sometimes if we could just listen with patience that will be more than enough to a person in pain.... a listener needs a listener too....

[LylaCrystal]

Thank you for the review!

[Ruth]

Sometimes the heavy burden of such emotion and feelings can be stifling and claustrophobically overpowering. The mind is a harsh thing to tame or heal at times, let no-one tell you that it is easy, just be you and the world will have to adjust as the saying goes :) Powerful poem and all too relatable to a lot of people...sometimes helps to know you are not alone :)

[LylaCrystal]

Thank you for the kind words!

[‘Thoughts In Time..]

Don’t concentrate if the ways of the world and how it treats ppl and messes everything up...know that you are special unique loved and worthy ...the ways of the world and ppl that follow the ways of the world are lost and caught up in lies and deception...don’t believe the lies...loosen yourself from all that upsets and hurts you...you are special creation that doesn’t need to fit in but stand out🌹

[LylaCrystal]

Thank you for the review!

[emmajoy]

' Please, tell me how - To hear - In this cruel, messed up hell. - Where kindness lost its voice, - But malicious whispers yell. '

S eems day by day news, living however, , personal problems and all, puts stress on so many people and - in different ways. We reall y do have to stay aware and help who we can, offer a hand or ear even if brie fly. Have friends of all ages who suffer trauma for this or that reason, sometimes its hard to find the right words, but better to tr y than turn away.

That said, your writing is very visual, m ust have been so painful to post. BUT but, you show how you feel, turn back a layer of yourself and perhaps need share emotions not only of and for Self f BUT as you says specifically in your Author's Note, offer a helping hand. Here if wanted. Excuse typos.

[Mark Tisdale]

Mental illness can only control what you feel. With rare exception. While those feelings are real and deeply affecting, you are not incapable of controlling your response to the way you feel. Perhaps those who insist they can help you are in fact trying to help.

[Chris Shaw]

Prisons of the mind. I know many who have suffered from debilitating mental health problems, both young and old. I can't pretend to know what they are going through because I haven't been there myself, but I can be supportive, and can be there for them when they need a friend. Have family members who are permanently in this dreadful place. You describe well how they tell me they feel at times. I am pleased to hear you are feeling an improvement. All the best. Poetry can be good therapy.

Chris

[LylaCrystal]

Thank you for your kind words :)