Summary

The website content presents a personal poem titled "Giving Up" that reflects on the author's struggle with mental illness and suicidal thoughts, along with a message of hope and resources for those in crisis.

Abstract

The webpage features a deeply personal poem called "Giving Up," written by the author during a period of intense mental health crisis. The poem vividly describes the internal turmoil, feelings of despair, and the struggle to find peace. It conveys the relentless nature of mental illness and the difficulty in distinguishing reality from the distortions of the mind. Despite the dark themes, the author shares a note of optimism, revealing that they have overcome their battles and encouraging others to keep fighting. The page also provides a list of international suicide prevention resources, emphasizing the importance of seeking help and acknowledging that recovery is possible.

Opinions

The author expresses a profound sense of hopelessness and the desire for an end to their suffering through the metaphor of sleep as a form of escape.
There is a strong sense of isolation and the feeling that the mind is imprisoned by its own thoughts, highlighting the internal battle faced by the author.
The poem suggests that the author's life is dictated by their mental illness, with their sense of self being overshadowed by the illness.
The author acknowledges the reality of living with mental illness, including the constant state of alertness and the absence of emotional responses.
Despite the overwhelming challenges, the author conveys a message of resilience and survival, encouraging others to reach out for help and to continue fighting for their well-being.
The inclusion of resources for suicide prevention indicates the author's belief in the value of life and the importance of accessing support during times of crisis.

Poetry

Giving Up

A poem written during a dark, hopeless time.

Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay

Trigger Warning: Self-harm, suicide

Note: Watch this poem in video format below.

Giving Up

Night crawls onward Alone, empty Mind tossing wild Black churning sea

Eyes pried open Senses alert Body nervous Bleak heart inert

Sleep stays distant Overgrown path Thoughts held captive Another’s wrath

Few choices mine Many were not Small battles won Others forgot

Never alone It claims my mind Binds me tightly Thoughts intertwined

My life passes Swirls around me To set me free There is no key

Which thought is real And which is not? The sense to feel I haven’t got

Ever awake No sleep of peace Deep pain resides Will never cease

Mindful, alert Sanity bought Heart like a stone Emotions naught

Reach out, hold on Grasp what is real Confusion high No cards to deal

Tired, betrayed The goal to sleep Reticent tears Misery keep

If from this rest I never wake This chance of fate Freely partake

Battle wages I cannot win To achieve peace Commit this sin

As time ticks off ‘til final rest To just be gone May be what’s best

- February 22, 2004

I wrote this poem when I didn’t think I would survive my mental illness. There were a lot of bleak days. Happily, I was wrong, and things got better.

If you are in a gloomy place now, hold on. Better days will come as long as you always keep fighting.

If you or someone you love is coping with thoughts of suicide, please get help immediately. Here are some resources that may help.

United States:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Telephone: 1–800–273–8255 Chat option available

Canada:

Crisis Services Canada Telephone: 1.833.456.4566 — Available 24/7 Text: 45645 — Available Daily 4pm-12am ET Chat option available

Crisis Text Line — 24/7 nationwide crisis-intervention text-message hotline created in partnership with Kids Help Phone. Text: HOME to 686868 in Canada to text with a trained Crisis Responder.

United Kingdom:

Samaritans — 24/7, toll-free crisis line, and local branches. Telephone: 116 123

Campaign Against Living Miserably — It has a limited-hour phone and web chat options every day from 5 PM to midnight. Telephone: 0800 58 58 58

Other Countries:

List of suicide crisis lines for other lands Please forgive me if I have not listed your country. Your life is valuable. Do an internet search for “suicide hotline” in your country to find a local number or chat option.

The poem video version.

Until next time, keep fighting.

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