The Echoes poetry competition to celebrate Write Out Loud's 20th anniversary is now open.  Judged by Neil Astley.

Competition closes in 7 days, 17 hours. Get details and Enter.

Popular last 30 days

poetry Love Trump democracy resistance life poem History shame authoritarianism

health anxiety (Remove filter)

Recent Comments

Mike McPeek on Running With Dogs
15 hours ago

David RL Moore on Aubade-esque
16 hours ago

Graham Sherwood on Aubade-esque
16 hours ago

David RL Moore on Aubade-esque
16 hours ago

David RL Moore on liberty
16 hours ago

Landi Cruz on liberty
17 hours ago

David RL Moore on Aubade-esque
21 hours ago

David RL Moore on liberty
22 hours ago

AirlogRigsMaria on Psycho
1 day ago

Simon Zonenblick on Snail Shells - Similes
1 day ago

chronic pain

i'm sick of doing the best i can
because it isn't ever enough
if I can't be good,
what's the point of being here at all?

I never sleep well anymore
even though I tell the doctors I sleep fine
I just stare at the ceiling
and live through the lives of others

sit in class with an ache behind my eyes
I can't even tell if the pain is real
excedrin can only do so much
and I think my toler...

Read and leave comments (2)

🌷(4) 

depression   hypochondria   hypochondriac   pain   health   health anxiety   mental health   family

Phantom Hands

Grief casts complex shadows
over the wilting body
You feel the fingers grasping
as sirens rise again
This fatalistic ritual
an energy made negative
and stomach knotted up
by such unhelpful thoughts

Pain rips at your sails
thunderous and wild
is it the body breaking down
a message poorly translated
The shrieking of absence
cuts deep into the gut
those hands twist and grip
the cycle...

Read and leave comments (1)

🌷(9) 

health anxiety   anxiety   health   family   pain

This site uses only functional cookies that are essential to the operation of the site. We do not use cookies related to advertising or tracking. By continuing to browse, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

Find out more Hide this message