Rose & Thorn Poetry

In the U.S., call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for the National Domestic Violence Hotline. I wrote this poem because emotional abuse is often misunderstood or overlooked. Emotional abuse (sometimes referred to as psychological abuse) is when a person repetitively attempts to control or undermine another, most often verbally (e.g. criticism, blame, humiliation, threats) but can include other non-physical behavior as well (e.g. withholding affection, isolation, disrespecting boundaries, harsh treatment). Sometimes the abuser doesn’t realize what they’re doing or think that it is wrong, but it is. It is very harmful and destructive. While I wrote this poem about emotional abuse, all abuse is wrong. If you or someone you know is being abused, there are people who can help you. Call the number above if you need help. Learn what the signs of abuse are so you can help others. I posted links to some articles on emotional abuse below. " Emotional abuse is an attempt to control, in just the sa...

Trying something different. This poem is just as much about appearance as the words.  Monochrome Some days I feel like I’m living in monochrome and everyone else is living in color and I just can’t experience the beautiful colors.  They look so happy smiling in that special way  Doing sweet things and living a lovely day  But I can’t say I’ve felt the same Hazy grey, lackluster mist Ashen taupe Lacerated hope, grasping at wind  They say the world is vibrant  Endowed with glossy hues  An endless adventure  A treasure-trove discovered  Look at them, excitement profuse  Life of colors everyday imbued  Joy on their faces suffuse  Bright beads adorn their necks  They live in dazzling array  Not one trace of grey Daunting hours spread on end Ragged, haggard This unbecoming state Undressed yet clothed in bleakness --curse this weakness-- It is myself I begin to hate  ...

"Cup of Tea" You’re not everyone’s cup of tea, And that’s okay. Some people like mild and reserved like A soothing cup of earl grey. Or wild and daring like A chai mocha latte. Some people get a taste and walk away, And for all the ones that pass you by I wish someone would say You’re not everyone’s cup of tea and that’s okay. Not everyone can handle the diversity that’s you; You are a unique blend all your own. A mixture of personality and dreams, A one-of-a-kind enchanting brew, A fantastic tapestry being sewn, Completely unrepeatable. I find that rarity is a blessing Though often misunderstood. So, despairing thoughts eschew, hope do renew, For someone is looking for such a specialty blend. Maturing and changing still continue, But in the meantime, Don’t stop becoming you. You have a precious and uncharted future, I hope you find that reassuring. You are the only you anyone can ever know, And you’re worth treasuring. A masterpiece made, Des...

This one took a long time to finish. It started out very short, but as I thought about what keeping silent means and what it does, the poem kept growing. There is a time to be silent and a time to speak up. What happens when it is time to speak and you don’t? I’ve seen what silence and a lack of communication can do to people and to relationships and to myself. This is something I struggle with, being an introvert and all. I’m not big on chatting in general or being vulnerable and open. But I’m trying to change that, to be the best version of me I can be, even as an introvert, because I’ve seen the harm of silence. It can be more destructive than you might think. Keeping Silent Silence is golden A venerable mystique. But sometimes it’s not, Sometimes it’s weak Can people read minds, Do they know how you feel, Can they see through your eyes, Or hear through your ears? You have to tell them, You have to speak. …1... What good is a compliment if it is left unsaid What good is symp...

Because crying isn’t a bad thing. It’s natural. We get embarrassed because it shows we’re vulnerable. We feel uncomfortable because we know crying makes some people feel awkward. What do you do when you see someone crying? I never know. But I know it’s not a bad or shameful thing to cry when you are hurt. Sometimes I Choose to Cry They want to cheer me up It hurts them to see me cry How sweet for them to care How kind of them to try And comfort me. But something sad has happened I think it’s ok to cry. I want to feel sad For awhile Not forever but for now I think it’s ok to cry. I want to feel the sadness Because to move on is to ignore That something tragic happened Something that deserves to be acknowledged. I think it’s ok to cry. Sometimes I choose to cry Because I can’t And won’t pretend To be ok When everyone knows I’m not.