When Numbness Moves In

Summary

The poem "When Numbness Moves In" by an unnamed author describes the pervasive and insidious nature of emotional numbness, personifying it as an unwelcome houseguest that takes over one's life.

Abstract

"When Numbness Moves In" is a poignant piece of literature that delves into the depths of emotional desensitization. The author uses vivid imagery and metaphor to illustrate how numbness can infiltrate a person's life, setting up a permanent residence in the heart and mind. It is depicted as a parasitic presence that not only coexists with the individual but also engages in mundane activities, from hosting social gatherings to participating in personal routines. The poem reveals the duality of maintaining a facade of normalcy while harboring a profound sense of disconnection and emptiness. It also touches on the unexpected revelation of numbness by others, who remain oblivious to the internal struggle. The narrative concludes with a moment of catharsis, where the act of writing serves as a temporary reprieve from the numbness, allowing the poet to reconnect with their emotions through the warmth of their tears.

Opinions

The author conveys a deep sense of resignation and helplessness in the face of emotional numbness, which is portrayed as an invasive force that takes over one's life.
There is a palpable frustration with the numbness, as it not only affects the individual's internal state but also disrupts their external interactions and activities.
The poem suggests that emotional numbness can be deceptive, allowing individuals to mask their true state behind a veneer of sociability and contentment.
A sense of betrayal is expressed when the numbness overstays its welcome, defacing cherished possessions and experiences, such as favorite books and movies.
Writing is presented as a therapeutic outlet, a means of confronting and momentarily overcoming the numbness, even when conventional expression fails.
The poem implies that the struggle with numbness is cyclical, with moments of clarity and feeling being temporary before the numbness returns.

Stream of consciousness

Image by ekaterina.guseva from Reshot

There’s numbness that kills; it seeps through the cracks in your heart it takes hold it builds a house it grows a family it hosts BBQs it starts a book club it invites her friends — sadness and despair— and they give each other mani-pedis and massage their backs and they decide to live together, forever and ever in your soul, and if you try to evict them they tell you to go fuck yourself.

There’s numbness that sleeps with you, wakes with you, cooks, eats, masturbates, and helps you see the bottom of every bottle; you rehearse your best smile and put it on so people won’t know you are numb dumb dull just a stump.

There’s numbness you can hide; you get so good at it that, when you die, people swear they didn’t know you had become so numb — she was the kindest the life of the party the giver of joy the greatest friend the happiest of them all.

No one knew…

There’s numbness you get to know; you sense her presence even before she arrives home, so you make her some coffee — with two sugars and all that was left of your cream, bitch — and place it in front of her on the table, and you try to talk to her and explain why she can’t stay, but she ignores you and takes over your room and writes on your favorite books and spoils the end of all the movies and reads shitty lyrics aloud.

So you take a breath and cry while you concoct a poem on an old typewriter so you have no choice but to keep going even if nothing rhymes even if you make no sense because now, for a moment, the numbness stepped outside for a smoke so you went and closed the door behind her and, even though you know she will come back in a day or two years, you can, at the moment touch your tears and feel the warmth they leave on your skin.

There’s numbness…

You can watch me perform this poem on my YouTube channel or on the video below:

POETRY

When Numbness Moves In

Stream of consciousness