red marks

Hello,

Okay so I have never self-harmed before but I had a friend who did it, and even though I've not experienced it myself, this poem touched me a lot. I don't usually have tears in my eyes after reading poetry but it was written so well and really helped me to understand what it's like for the actual self-harmer. It sounds so painful, and I really felt that in the last paragraph. I feel like this has given me quite a bit of new perspective.

Thank you for writing it, and I hope this gets better. x

Self harm is never a good thing. I struggle with it and I know so many other people do too. The whole part with the belt is confusing too... maybe explain that.

I get it. Feeling like your skin is trying to destroy you from the inside out. You have to do something to distract yourself. So you make marks and marks and marks...Red marks.

If you are still doing this, currently, maybe get some help. Talk ti internet friends, thats what I do. Or if you still need the pain, then use a rubber band, or pinch the inside of your thighs. It helped me not to use cutting as a crutch for my life.

Message me if you want to talk about anything...Even bread if we have to.

Whosabellxx

Heya, I'm back.

So, I feel personally this is a well written poem. I'll start off with saying the imagery, while extremely sobering, is also particularly apt. You did well to convey the way those things all feel with more simplified descriptions. It leaves the reader feeling bare, as if there is nothing to stand between them and the feelings brought on by the poem. This feels real, and honest, and so forthright it can't help but pull at heartstrings. Reading this brings tears to my eyes, because you've written it so that even though it speaks of what you have went through, it also rings true of my own and perhaps others' experiences. It's relate-able.

In all truth the only real criticism I can think of is that I don't personally like it when there's no capitalization, for the word I mostly. However, this is a common device used in poetry and in this instance it does lend itself to the "This is all I am laid out for you to see without gimmicks, and I have no further energy for sugarcoating or embellishing" feel the poem has to it.

I appreciate you writing this. Thank you very much, hun. And again, you are welcome to contact me at any point if you feel comfortable doing so.

I'm going to come back and review this but as Renee said below I have also been here. I was admitted to a hospital for this, I feel your pain honey. And if you need I too am here to chat should you feel you need it.

Comment first. Then I'll review. I just want you to know I've been here. Like exactly here. For like, six years. I would cut then write poetry about it. And while the latter is a great release, the former is not. I want you to know that I'm here for you, I can understand some of what you're going through, and I would love if you reached out to me at any time. You're so amazing, and destined for amazing things!
xx