Introductions, old friends, snail-mail, mental illness, and how I made it to Medium — An open book is what I’ve been in the safety of the verse but now as I try to say “Hi” I can’t seem to find the words Introductions

Remembering the parts of us we had to let go of to continue — mental illness, regret, medication, and moving on — Exhaustion seeps deep into the parts of me you cannot see —settling — Ounce by ounce drop by drop drip by drip A saturated soul — soaked — Like the subtle weight of wearing wet clothes —shivering — Arms wrapped for warmth I feel the missing parts Stumps sit on shoulder blades…

Not being coy — *TW* Mental Illness & Medication — Too focused on survival to develop any skills; the only talent I seem to have is to juggle others’ wills. Spent so much time hiding, crouched in corners, beneath beds that I got bent from the crying; manic mourners in my head. Yes, I’ve tried complying with what the voices have…

Checking the Pulse of Poetry on Long Island — Hello Medium Fam! You might be wondering where I’ve gone , what I’ve been up to, why I haven’t been putting out as much poetry, or engaging with as many poems as usual. Well, I’m here to say I’ve been working hard getting this new project up and running, and…

The writing bug — If you don’t write it it won’t be written Big ol’ bug and I am bitten Got the mark an itch I’m itchin’ sit and scribble in the kitchen in the bedroom in the hall Anywhere gotta catch ’em all Every word idea and phrase No this is not just a…

When the mind defeats the heart — Thoughts intruding I’ve been brooding Lights, camera, action Start the shooting Mind is looting stealing peace Riots in my mental streets Unruly crowd My heart competes and tries to fight it back with beats Not loud enough to drown them out they only start to chant in unison begin to shout riled up into…

Rewriting the narrative — Trying to get past deserving to be punished Lessons learned so fast, through the trauma I must rummage Living with wings cast means I’m destined just to plummet Always coming last, never make it to the summit Done it all in every way Nothing new no games to play under sun and through…

Stuck underfoot — Pray for me please if you still pray I’ve stopped I’ve tried it got nothing to say Begged and cried and pleaded too Dredged it dry to see the truth But all the good that it’ll do When faith is gone it flew the coup Used…

Where I’m okay and so are you — Seeking out some stimulation Anything to change the station Mental form of masturbation In my mind a conflagration Warring nations warring worlds Warring swine war over pearls Warring all the boys and girls Warring flowers won’t unfurl Rocks are hurled stones are thrown Crash the house of glass I own All of my true…