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kristinSenior Contributor
Common Ground
If you have the eyes to see
Through black and white
Past this mask I must wear
Into many shades of grey
Perhaps you may recognise
That you and I
Have so much in common –
Commonly known as humanity
© August 2013
In response to: Poems to share
kristinSenior Contributor
In response to: Re: Poems to share
kristinSenior Contributor
Another one, which I wrote at a time when I was terrified of having a complete breakdown and ending up in hospital. I think others might relate to it, even if you don't have kids - just take out the "family" bits.
The Client’s Experience
I lay my family’s plight out before you
I feel vulnerable and exposed
I don’t like asking for help but I must
I wait with hope...
You speak
Your judgment yawns wide and cavernous
Our needs vanish from sight, swallowed whole
Drowned in the clamour of misunderstanding
I try to walk on anyway
Feeling angry and despairing
I lay my family’s plight out before you
I feel vulnerable and exposed
I don’t like asking for help but I must
I wait with hope and trepidation...
You speak
Your forms do not have boxes which fit my family
Our needs are not quite right
Asking too little / too much, being too sick / too well
I try to walk on anyway
Feeling somehow / everyhow a misfit
I lay my family’s plight out before you
I feel vulnerable and exposed
I don’t like asking for help but I must
I wait with little hope and much trepidation...
You speak
Your platitudes rain down from oblivion
Our needs unheard cannot be met
Being offered excruciatingly unhelpful help
I try to walk on anyway
Feeling completely unseen
I lay my family’s plight out before you
I feel vulnerable and exposed
I don’t like asking for help but I must
I wait with trepidation...
You speak
Your offer of imperfect help says you “get it”
Our needs are somewhat met
Offered real help after so much searching
I can walk on with some dignity
Feeling relief and gratitude
Maybe I can manage, next time
Maybe I can help someone else, next time
Maybe if you hadn’t helped there would be … no next time
Kristin © February 2012
In response to: Poems to share
Unknown userMember
In response to: Re: Poems to share
janMContributor
Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
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Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.
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