It's Okay To Relapse

Take a hit

And roll your shoulders.

Don't bother dodging.

Welcome the cut

With open arm,

And cry tears of joy.

You'll feel high

And life will be bliss.

All you have to do

Is take apart that pencil sharpener.

It's not a hard task,

And the euphoria is worth it.

Just a flick of the wrist

And tiny gashes appear.

Fall.

Get pushed.

It will pull you down.

Wear thick sweaters

And sleep carefully,

Reopened cuts hurt more

Than fresh ones.

Open yourself

To all your blade has to offer.

Reviews

[Jolan H]

This is a common issue, no different from gambling, or meth, or those people with sex addictions. It was hard to read but then truth is always hard to hear

[jacob erin-cilberto]

to inflict pain on ourselves? meaning that we think it is what we deserve, but we don't...
the blade is not the answer...self-loathing has no real meaning...we need to forgive and love ourselves and then we can open our hearts to others.
this is so sad...tough to read...but as Plath said..."people want to know from someone who has been there and felt the worst."

you show us that.
j.

[Coyote Poetry]

Many ways to cut yourself. I believe the people who hide their suffering. Find the darkest places. Your words honest and true. Thank you Lexi for sharing the powerful poetry.
Coyote

[J. B.]

this is rough to read... I look at it as the part of the human condition that tells us to do ourselves harm to feel a moment the most, even when it is ultimately something horrible for us to do.

[Askew]

I'm glad it's hard to read. That's how it should be, because it's a topic that is made fun of by so many people. It's not a light subject, and I want people to realize that it is addicting and hard to live without. People go through real withdrawals when they stop.

[J. B.]

Oh I get that. I'm also 30 and have experienced enough in life to make 80 year-olds shiver. I applaud your crudeness.

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Hi Lexi again I applaud you for showing your real life and emotion a good poem I self harmed with alcohol for years self medicating and it’s my one biggest regret among others but I hope you get the help you need we are always here to listen ok 👍

[Einstein Noodle]

this takes my breath away Lexi ... a brutal honesty in your poem ... so glad you decided to share it with us .. cutting is not easy for those who don't cut to understand ... you give us a peek at some of the thoughts and emotions connected with it says i! there is a natural rhythm to it .. free verse is a perfect form to use as the content is what is all important .. i love the title ... it hooked me right away but more than that it tells me your speaker has come to grips with, not only the cutting, but guilt in the aftermath of relapsing .. and again even more .. it speaks to the strength in taking that one day at a time thing ... who would think such an innocent thing as a pencil sharpener could be converted into an instrument of false satisfaction and addiction ... i think your closing says it all ... i am moved to compassion and empathy by your poem .. well done ... thanks you for sharing!
E.

[Wesley Dingler]

Nice. Really disturbing but well done Lexi.
I mean the poem of course. I can't promote self mutilation but it reads very well.

[Chris Shaw]

Hard hitting Lexi. Yes those pencil sharpeners with the blades removed. I've seen what they inflict and the scars too. Other coping strategies need to be found, and quickly.

Chris

[Saoirse K.]

when a pencil sharpener
ceases grooming pencils
and sharpener shortens to
sharp
s**t
try pen

[Wesley Dingler]

Try writing on a tablet or something. Even paper can cut you.
Not to make light of the situation here, Saoirse.