What It's Like

I've stood at the cliffs of deepest despair
Been so close to Hell I smelt the sulfur in the air
Waited in line to enter Limbo’s courtyards
And stood at the last lamppost of Sadness Boulevard.

This body has had it’s share of abuse
Witnessing the scales tip between positive and negative
I’ve lived enough to have lost
And I’ve lost enough to have lived.

I’ve had my heart shattered before me
Patching the cracks to be left unseen
I’ve been cast out like trash in the gutter
Told I’m not as good as the others.

My back bears the scar of betrayal’s knife
My heart the sorrow of losing dear friends
I’ve seen people destroy their one, only life
And wished that they had not come to an end.

Insomnia once left me phantasmical and ghostly
Even now, once in a blue moon I struggle with sleep
I’ve waged psychological warfare with anxiety
And at times had waved the white flag of defeat.

I’ve had life knock me clean off my feet
And watched the world collapse beneath
But the deepest darkness of all that I’ve known
Is the desolated exile of truly being alone.

I guess the point of this write
Is to kindly say it’s alright
These battles are not just your own
Others know what it’s like…and you’re not alone.

Reviews

[The Disconsolate Muse]

Absolutely love the last three verses. The whole poem struck an inner chord with me, as I feel the same things depicted in this poem, but just the last three lines, stating that it's alright, for others have struggled with the same things that you have really stuck out with me. Fantastic work

[Jack Necron (Aubrey Jack Peaslee)]

I am sorry that you are going through a dark time, I hope things begin or are getting better for you. I am glad you could relate to this and enjoyed it! Thank you for the comment and for reading.

[Valentine]

A lot of truth in this write. We all have had ups and downs, joy and heartbreak, love and loss. It is called "Being Human" Valentine

[Jack Necron (Aubrey Jack Peaslee)]

Exactly right. Thank you for commenting and reading!

[A.L.]

The last three verses burned my still recovering heartache. I really love the flow of this poem, the different angles of suffering, and the unity that all humans can relate on. Thank you so much for posting this, I'm glad I found it.

[Jack Necron (Aubrey Jack Peaslee)]

I am sorry to hear you are going through that, I hope things are looking more up and get better. I wrote this after a particularly rough point in time and I'm glad others have found it connectable. Thank you for commenting, I appreciate it!

[A.L.]

It's fine, I'm just glad to see poems like this to remind me I'm not the first and surely not the last to experience these feelings.

[Tony Jordan]

I could see Johnny Cash singing this over a steady beat not unlike NIN 'Hurt', Jack.
It has tight rhymes and deep wisdom.
Nice job.

[Jack Necron (Aubrey Jack Peaslee)]

I love Johnny's cover of that song and I'm glad you view this poem in a similar vein! Thank you for reading, it's appreciated.

[tanmay7551]

Well said! We all are in the same boat and while we may feel that we suffer the most, there is always someone out there to beat you!

Your description about all different types of sufferings was good.

Keep writing, my friend.

[Jack Necron (Aubrey Jack Peaslee)]

You are absolutely right. Thank you for the insightful review! I'm glad you liked it.