Self Harm

I'm gonna let you decide. For me, it's just another day at the office...........N

Self Harm

 

Aline wears each of her many scars with pride

Of course she has her favourites

But don’t we all

 

Those across her chest are special

Then there are those for her eyes only or eventually

A lover to admire

 

Each one is beautiful she recalls during psychotherapy

An aide memoire to mark each loss or hurt

She has endured

 

Aline tends to wear long sleeves these days

Particularly when her mother visits from Brazil

Self harm you see is frowned upon in Porto Alegre

Author's Note

The truth hurts, don't it just

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

It must have been bad enough to have to witness this when you are in the workplace, but when you actually know adolescents who do this who are close to you, it rips your heart out. I have been told that the pain of inflicting self harm is a lesser pain than having to deal with their own inner turmoil. Cutting releases the hurt, although only on a temporary basis. The scars though, unlike Aline's were hidden through shame. Good job they were seen. That got the ball rolling. A hard subject to contemplate, but I like the way you approached it.

Chris

[Neville]

Tension release is certainly one reason of many... thank you Chris for your very reasoned response to these words... Neville

[Onlyme]

Wonderful poem Neville, highlighting this topic of " Self-harm".

[Neville]

Hey stranger, great to hear from you.. many thanks my friend.. Neville

[barleygirl]

I love your caustic little blasts about the clinical idea of self-harm . . . and I'm also reminded of a twist on this message. One of my older sisters who was abused in the same way I was, as a child, has a habit of pointing out all the scars on her arms (but if you look at her arms, there are no scars & never have been). Her version of our bad childhood includes much more than mine does. She is so all about her scars. I love how your poem captures how she wears them like a fur coat (((PUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Neville]

Oh' lordy keep em coming Margie.. you seem on a roll and I am rockin..... (SLUGS) fondly N :)

[Muse]

I think it's the creative spirits that suffer the most I'm not saying this girl didn't have some real valid reason to want to lash out in an unconventional way. But look at all the famous actors/actress/poets/writers that were suicidal...and eventually succumbed to it. We have a brain that sees the world and the worlds pain in a different way. We feeeeel EVERYTHING whole-heartedly. She could just be a creative spirit that needs to feel the sting of life to remind her she is not invisible.

[Neville]

you might be right and of course to remind others too... maybe.. thank you for considering some of the possibilities my friend....Neville

[Pete]

things have a way of coming out one way or another. we will go to great lengths to hide it ... :)

"It takes two to speak the truth: one to speak, and another to hear." - Thoreau

[Neville]

Thank you Pete :)

[Vatsal Rohilla (account..]

Well, truth sometimes hurts you far too much and it leads to self-harm. Though self-harm is certainly not the solution to anything- it is a way to sort of pour out your indignation. Scars are lefts as traces of what had happened in the past. They keep on reminding you of your pains, worries and such stuff. A well-written poem. Keep writing.

[Neville]

thank you again

[The Inner Me]

Dark and beautiful. I love it. Great job Neville!

[Neville]

I am extremely grateful, you have no idea just how much......All good Things my friend, N

[Circe]

all the pain and beauty of the human psyche in such a story.... your words demonstrate your experience, compassion and shed light on difficult subjects.

[Neville]

Thank you so very much my dear literary friend, your time and your consideration of these words is greatly appreciated and as always, extremely welcome. All Good Things, N

[Lyn Anderson]

Again, harsh and brief, well done. I must admit to being somewhat perplexed by the dual reference to Brazil -- an interesting city choice.:)

[Neville]

Hey, if you had not mentioned it, I would probably never have had my attention drawn to it. I have been doing a bit of detective work and it now seems that my eldest (now aged 33 years) took it upon himself to do a little bit of editing. The last time he pulled this one was several years ago when I was preparing a report for the coroner. Fortunately, on that occasion I discovered the very subtle changes before the report was electronically dispatched. I guess I owe ya, thanks, Neville

[Lyn Anderson]

Wow. Cheeky dude. Glad to be of service.:)

[TL Boehm]

A dark and fascinating write as though writing about afternoon cat naps - it gets me thinking. Well penned

[Neville]

Bless ya TL. If 'it' gets anyone thinking at all, then I have achieved my goal. All Good Things, N