Poem: Flailing – 04/03/20

There have been many years of flailing,
my life lacking in solid intent,
and I wonder, where am I going,
am I even progressing?
Hoping for something to shoulder all the weight from my listless life.
 
It’s as though I am simply floating in a mass of water,
stagnant appears to be the tune,
the water dank,
murky,
like my lacking of good fortune.
 
I used to be so focused,
attentive and driven,
full of concentration,
dedication to my art,
my music,
my academia,
the processes.
 
Now, I am simply waiting to expire,
growing older by the second,
each tick a stretch from the previous,
to the finality of my last.
 
I wish for something solid to aim for,
something to hope for,
something which I can reach for,
to impress upon myself,
to enliven and enrich my soul.
 
But my dreams seem so far off
and lofty,
and unlikely to come to pass,
I can dream and dream
but surely someone who has become like me
will only finish last.
 
And the truth of the matter is
I am here breathing,
stealing away others’ rightful air
with my pathetic breaths which amount to little,
no,
nothing,
I am nothing anymore,
not what I used to be,                
burned away are my successes.
 
And my desire for excesses,
all ceremonial,
seem an apparent method of
ridiculous and ostentatious showing of invisible wealth.
 
Because,
while I like to sparkle and I love to shine,
the gems upon my fingers
and around my neck
are really the only things about me lately worth drawing the eye.
 
I realise my tone is morose,
that I am lacking in lustre within my words,
although lifeless and downtrodden feels commonplace
from someone who used to outrageously feel.  

© 2020 Lauren M. Hancock. All rights reserved.
Image by StockSnap from Pixabay

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15 responses to “Poem: Flailing – 04/03/20”

  1. James Edgar Skye Avatar

    I am nothing anymore,
    not what I used to be,
    burned away are my successes.

    This really got to me, and I can understand. Powerful poem and in it you share what it is like in this life. Thank you. I look forward to what else you bring on your blog!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lauren M. Hancock Avatar

      Thank you so much for your kind words, James. They really mean a lot. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. James Edgar Skye Avatar

        Poetry is an amazing form of expression. I have dabbled in it, but I find writing stories as my means of therapy. I hope this poem was theraputic to write.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Lauren M. Hancock Avatar

        Poetry is wonderful, and I’ve only recently taken it up so am still learning myself. This poem was helpful to me to write, yes.
        I’m trying to look at your blog but unfortunately when I click on your link, it sends me to a page with a bunch of foreign characters and no words or images.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. James Edgar Skye Avatar

        Thank you for pointing that out. It should be going to my blog: thebipolarwriter.blog. You can also find me on http://www.jamesedgarskye.me

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Lauren M. Hancock Avatar

        Excellent, thank you, James. 🙂 congrats on the re-release of your memoir, also!

        Liked by 1 person

      5. James Edgar Skye Avatar

        Thank you! I was a long few months, but now I can focus on my other fiction projects. I have more good things coming out soon!

        Liked by 1 person

      6. Lauren M. Hancock Avatar

        Yes, I’ve just read the projects you have planned, how exciting! I really like your Bipolar Writer Blog, from what I’ve read of it so far, it seems like a great community.

        Liked by 1 person

      7. James Edgar Skye Avatar

        It is an amazing community that I have been lucky enough to help it grow. I am always looking for new writers and perspectives. The collaborative effort of the blog is why I love being an advocate. This blog is a safe place for people to share their stories in the right enviorment!

        Liked by 1 person

      8. Lauren M. Hancock Avatar

        What a great thing to be a part of. 🙂 I look forward to continuing exploring the blog! I have felt sometimes that my posts are too “something”, perhaps too depressive, angry, bitter, or some such, so it’s great that you have your collaborative blog as an avenue for those understand just how extreme these emotions can become for us with bipolar.

        Liked by 1 person

      9. James Edgar Skye Avatar

        It can be so great to share the extreme emotions that come with being bipolar. The more we share this with the world the better we work to end the stigma! Thank you for exploring my blog!

        Liked by 1 person

      10. Lauren M. Hancock Avatar

        Yes, ending the stigma is something definitely to aim for, for with opening up we can permit understanding and education of what the illness really entails. No worries, I’m enjoying reading what has been posted on the blog. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      11. Lauren M. Hancock Avatar

        I may have worded my reply incorrectly, sorry.

        Liked by 1 person

      12. James Edgar Skye Avatar

        Thank you for pointing that out I had no idea that was happening! It is fixed I believe.

        Liked by 1 person

      13. Lauren M. Hancock Avatar

        You’re welcome. I’m glad I could help, even unintentionally.

        Liked by 1 person

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