I draw my poetry
From the depths of my despair
As many other poets do

Sadly I can’t draw them
From my highest of highs
Like other brilliant artists

To all poets
Thank you for sharing
Whether it be a shard of light
Or a wisp of darkness
It all takes power
To turn pain and happiness
Into art

A part of me exhausts
As you withdraw into yourself

Pulling the thick tar of hurt
Out from my chest
And into these words

Molding it into
Meaning.

Don’t tell me you know
What it feels like
When your own mind
Is your arch enemy

Don’t tell me you understand
What it means
To be a prisoner
Inside your head

Don’t tell me you know
The terror
Of thinking you are
Properly insane

Don’t tell me you get
Being enslaved
By compulsions
You don’t understand

Don’t tell me you know
About causing so much damage
To yourself
You are afraid for your life

Don’t tell me.

These are not things
You can pretend to know
Not feelings you can simulate
Unless you’ve been there