you have a tic disorder

Hi there kryptonianmenace!

I've never actually read a poem about tics, so I'm really glad you decided to write one! Representation is so important in all writing, including poetry <3 I liked your choice to write this poem in the second person; it pulls the reader into the poem nicely. It also adds more effect to lines like "How do you describe it to others who don't understand", because that's what this poem is doing for the reader, yet the reader gets to feel the narrator's frustration as if it were their own. (Does that even make sense? I'm not quite sure how to put what I'm trying to say into words, haha, but long story short, I like that it's in second person!)

You remember the shakes like it was yesterday - the fear they caused.
It’s a muted memory, but you still remember.

I like how you open the poem with an attention-catching statement! The alliteration of "muted memory" is also super nice here c: One small suggestion I had is that you repeat "remember" here twice in two lines, and especially for the opening stanza, I think it'd be good if there wasn't any unnecessary repetition. Maybe you could change out "but you still remember" with a description of the memories, instead? Like "seared dimly onto the backs of your eyelids" -> something like that would complement the idea of a "muted memory" nicely! Of course that's just an example off the top of my head, and I'm sure you could come up with something a million times better

You hit your chin as you write this,
Unable to keep your hands on the keys -
Thump thump thump
SMACK.

I love how simple yet impactful this second stanza is <3 I do think there's some great opportunity to dig even further into a description of the sounds here; how does the thumping sound? like muffled thunder? like pounding a nail with a hammer that always misses and strikes your hand? It's a chance to add even more specific emotions to the description, so the reader knows exactly how to feel.

It’s in building a fortress of pillows to keep you from hitting the wall.
It’s being afraid of private things that feel too similar to the involuntary movements.
(Things you can’t say in decent company)
It’s being afraid of yourself because you don’t know your next move.

I think the first two lines of this stanza could benefit from being cut in half? Something like, "It’s in building a fortress of pillows / to keep you from hitting the wall" and "It’s being afraid of private things / that feel too similar to the involuntary movements" would work well! I think it'd help to add a nice flow to this part of the poem.
Also, oh my goodness?? The final line of this stanza is so poignant !! You encapsulate so many feeling and concepts into one single, heart-wrenching sentence.

It’s like a hiccup, you say.
That’s the best way to describe it.

Except it’s not.
How do you describe the feeling?
You can’t, not perfectly.

Hmm these two stanza feel a bit repetitive - I think the sentiments of the second stanza could be put more concisely into one single line. (As a rule of thumb, if something isn't adding extra meaning to a poem, it's best to take it out. You want to try to convey all your meaning in as concise a way as possible, to keep the reader engaged. Take it from someone who's chronically long-winded haha) Something along the lines of: "It’s like a hiccup, you say. / That’s the best way to describe it. / But that's as accurate as comparing / water going down a drain to a tornado." Here, you'd be able to use some imagery to convey some more emotion and meaning, and you wouldn't be repeating the sentiment of "that's innacurate" to the same extent. Again, that's just an example, and if you do change it, it's totally up to you what descriptions you use!

And you just keep on ticcing.

Aah a very effective ending! <3

All in all, this was a really interesting and touching poem. You do a good job overall of conveying the many different emotions the narrator has about their tics, and you also do a great job of keeping the poem engaging and easy to read! I hope this review is helpful, and if you have any questions about anything I've brought up, feel free to ask!

Keep writing c:

whatcha