Cheekbone

A poem about burnout and depression,

Biting off more than I can chew

My endless cycle of self-abuse springs anew

I turn to face myself in the mirror

But see a face that could be a bit clearer

Somebody that I once knew,

A person of the past that couldn’t make it through

My reality slips from my hands

The world stands still, straying away into new lands

Tears drop from my eyes as I lay

My body shaking whilst I pray

“Please, just one more day”
While schoolwork simply rots away

Unable to focus, unable to feel at home

My world turned upside down, as I sat all alone.

Fate tides turn once more

And all I can feel like is a filthy w***e

Biting down on my cheekbones, the poison dripping into my veins

My animosity to the reflection grows stronger

But now I see a face, one whose eyes dare to stare a little longer.

One whose body reminds me of somebody I no longer know

Myself, sobbing while I try to remind myself that I’m no longer alone

My head rests between my knees as I cry

No longer there, nor quite alive

A flickering flame remains barely lit

As the one with the match is too far away to stop my fit

My self-doubt grows as I lie

Everything in my heart telling me I no longer need to cry

But my mind remains racing, my body at its lowest place

I try to calm down and tell myself it’s alright,

But my mind and body remain in fight or flight

Reviews

[Julia.Moore]

The love for haiku poetry was sparked during world literature studies, drawn to its ability to convey profound ideas in just a few syllables. Over the years, hundreds of haikus were written, inspired by moments of awe in everyday life, many of which are featured in the book Blue Harlequin. These haikus aim to inspire an appreciation for the simple beauty in life’s fleeting moments. Read the full article to delve deeper into the beauty of haiku poetry: https://aoidemagazine.com/what-is-haiku-poetry/