Dedicated to Sophie Smith

I wonder if
you played here as a child?
Did you
hunt for treasure shells
write your name in shingle
snake seaweed around sand kingdoms.
Did you ever throw stones into the ocean
and watch the ripples as they spread?

Maybe
you’d tested yourself before.
Feet sunk into the shoreline,
sea foaming at your ankles
as you made your final choice.
Panic or calm,
fear or resolve.
Nothingness.

I bet  
the water had never
seemed so dark.
I hope you numbed quickly
limbs silent
nerves dull
lips salt-fresh and longing
for the end.


Jade Wright

I try to hide it
Mask it
Fake it
Suppress it
If I cry I'm weak right?
No one can see me cry
I hide my face in my arms
Head down
My eyes have blown my cover
My heart getting quicker
My thoughts getting bitter
I must look up for a while
Smile
Pretend
That everything is okay in the end
But it's not... not now
I wish I could hide
But I have no where to abide
So I stay low
And not let people know
I'm about to break
The suppression of what they call a freak
I runaway
From everyone who comes my way
There's no escape for me
I have to face reality
I need help
Voices strangle those thoughts of "it's okay to get help"

I wish it were easy
Life is not breezy
It hurts
It will hit hard where it hurts
But keep trying
Never give up or stop trying

You are needed
You are worth while
You are special
You are loved
You are strong
You are capable
You are beautiful.