Written August 18 2026 for contest This or That Vol 40 sponsor Ibeh, Edward
This struggle I have is from within In my darkest moments I fight to grin Because I am aware that stigma is true Mental illness is cruel a burden to you It’s like a disease that handcuffs minds Depression confession lost in teal time It’s like being stuck in tan quicksand A slow sink in a nightmare with no chance Looking from the inside I feel trapped The enemy is me and energy is zapped Why can’t I be nicer to the child inside I tell her the truth she regurgitates lies Lies like we don’t need the peach pill We can pray it away use diet and will In a manic panic we can run on treadmill Frantically romantic we love never kill I can never escape my cherry challenge Shame it brings that I have an imbalance The harder I try the more I seem to sink Slow sink is worse than a quick ending I can wake up from this neon nightmare There is no cure but I am able to share If I keep hope afloat I can learn to thrive Slowly sink becomes a way to survive
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.