For Ben who grew and loved polyanthus

(he was also an artist and poet)

For you whose bridge I have not crossed,

who writes of standing on the edge,

my thoughts have always been my own,

I've never hovered on the ledge.

I may at times have met despair,

fought demons in the dark of night,

but chains don't lock me in a hell

preventing me from freedom's flight.

My hands my own to give or take,

I close my door without the fear

that someone lurks behind its frame,

their heavy presence ever near.

If I could offer you the key,

I'd break my arms to set you free.

Reviews

[Davidgeo]

In your title, polyanthus is one of those words that doesn't change in it's plural form... there is no word "polyanthers", it's always polyanthus regardless. The greek translation of the word already literally means "many flowers".

There seems to be a suicide epidemic taking place in western society these days. I don't think people are any more or less prone to it inherently but the society we live in is leaving the most vulnerable more susecptible to it. We are more connected than ever but it seems that some of us, paradoxically, feel even more isolated than ever which is exacerbating all types of mental illness... in the most tragic possible way for the borderline cases, those already on the edge.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for the correction David. There appear to be many more people suffering from mental health illness these days. Perhaps it is because we are more aware of it now than when I was younger and it was swept under the carpet. Life can be lonely for some, but add on mental health problems and that makes the whole situation worse. The older I get the more I realise that there are many, many vulnerable people out there living there lives in isolation.

Chris

[Chris Shaw]

oops, their, not there

[Davidgeo]

I think the current uptick in mental illness diagnosis' is similar to past situations like autism... it's not that people are crazier than ever but the awareness and ability to recognize it on a clinical level has come a long way. Which I think presents the controversial question... is the labeling of such conditions causing the suffers to feel more hopeless than they otherwise would? It's not an easy question to ask but I think it's an obvious one if we allow ourselves to objectively look at the situation. I think we had a conversation about labels before; it was in a far different context but there may be some fundamental similarities.

[Chris Shaw]

Yes labels as I said before I don't like. They can make people feel different, maybe isolated. We should be making people feel inclusive, not part of a minority group. Now how we do that I don't know, but it needs to be looked at. I've never come across so many youngsters with autism, OCD, bi-polar etc etc. It was almost unheard of when I was at school.

[Davidgeo]

Labels on their own are not to blame. They can make a person feel unified and empowered as well isolated and disenfranchised. It's how we perceive them and how we think others perceive that makes them healthy or pathological. I've been labeled with a mental illness but I use that knowledge to better myself and better understand the nature of how and why I feel certain things and to mitigate their negative consequences. Labels aren't a new thing and they won't be going anywhere probably ever... how we deal with them internally and the tolerance we have for other's is the key to overcoming the negative aspects of them. Pretending they don't exist is akin to sticking your head in the sand... in my opinion anyway.

[JE Falcon]

Tribute poems are hard to get across to others, and I believe that you have done a good job trying.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Falcon. I appreciate your thoughts and you stopping by. All good wishes.

Chris

[Ken Simm.]

So much tragedy and melancholic beuaty in this tribute Chris.
Full of insight and deep thinking.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks for stopping by Ken. Ben was a very troubled young man. I appreciate your thoughts.
read moreMany thanks for stopping by Ken. Ben was a very troubled young man. I appreciate your thoughts.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

This one is well rhymed but somber, and the reference to the subject in the past tense indicates he has transitioned. The impression is that he meant much to the speaker, but was also a very troubled person. The symptoms described come across as both depression and anxiety and possibly paranoia. He may have committed suicide. The speaker's distress at not having been able to help suggests such, but in some cases the pain of mental illness is too much to bear. The person may not want to die, only for the agony to end.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you John for sharing your thoughts here. You are appreciated. Ben was very troubled.
read moreThank you John for sharing your thoughts here. You are appreciated. Ben was very troubled.

Chris

[Dara]

A very powerful write, Chris, and especially significant in the world we are living in. There is much cause for despair and without something or someone to hold on to it seems too easy to ‘fall off the ledge’. Without knowing who Ben is, I can say this poem is a wonderful tribute and the words very important to hear even now. Thanks for sharing!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dara for sharing your thoughts about this poem. This young man was a very troubled soul. I remember his gentleness.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

the empathy in this poem is divine says i! most of us live just as your poem suggests ... knowing ups and downs and disappointments; but never over the edge ... emotions can overwhelm us .. fear, despair, anger, hate can take hold of us if we have no anchor that holds ... wisdom and understanding adds as we "make it through" our tough times .. patience and longsuffering .. in the knowledge that we are held firmly in God's hands .. when that is gone one becomes ill with the negative ... i read your discussion with David (wonderful exchange in my opinion) but i think i may disagree about fixing a diagnosis or "label" on conditions .. doing so has brought things like Depression into the light of day .. i think it helps those suffering and in need of a boost out, the courage to ask for it .. as well as family and friends perhaps being able to encourage someone to seek help .. anyway .. great poem ... crisp clean lines that build the theme and tell the story .. one which i think is relevant, important .. worthwhile .. fantastic opening line says i and thank you for my new word "polyanthus" ... on a personal note .. i have always been one who arriving upon a ledge .. wants to dive off it ;) not too smart I know. luv on ya Chris .. thanks for sharing always!
E.

[Chris Shaw]

Happy Easter Mr E and many thanks for calling on this older poem out for an airing, and many. many thanks for taking the time to read previous exchanges and to share your own thoughts. You are a gem. Have a lovely day.

Chris

[Carola]

an insightful poem. so sad when people reach that stage they want to suicide.
it makes you wonder, is it because they think no one can help, or don't want help, or is it a lack of understanding friends.
one of our tv programs called 'insight' some time ago had an episode on suicide, & I remember one man (a cardiologist no less) said people & he himself didn't really want to die, they just want their pain to stop.
i understand the problem, but never having been there, I have difficulty understanding the emotions.
cheerio carola

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Carola for sharing. Pleased you stopped by to read about Ben.

Chris

[KATHY SUE SILLS]

Chris, this is one powerful write on mental illness! I have a brother years ago attempt suicide, but thanks goodness he didn't succeed and got the help he needed. Excellent imagery!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Kathy. This young man was incredibly talented yet his mental health was really fragile. He loved his garden. Thank you fir stopping by.

Chris

[KATHY SUE SILLS]

My pleasure!

[Mrudula Rani]

Some mental health issues just can't be fixed... the medications always have severe side effects. And once they are put on medication it is for forever. Our social structure changed so much, we have to include and support those in need of emotional support and love.

[Chris Shaw]

Yes M, some mental health issues can't be fixed, we need to reach out far more to make those people feel supported and loved.

Chris

[Mrudula Rani]

Thank you for illustrating this issue in your poem.

[Casper Alixander]

this is really powerful! i love the last two lines. really amazing mental health imagery here. nice one!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Casper, pleased to see you here on my page. Welcome.

Chris

[Paul Bell]

We don't let kids be kids.
Not in this mad Tec world.
We just wind them up till they can't be wound up no more.
Ben and others are proof of this. Yet with all this tec, they can't get an appointment with mental health specialists.

[Chris Shaw]

There are many young people who have mental health issues, and you are quite right, there has been insufficient investment in the services which will help them. Social media has without doubt had a huge impact in a detrimental way for some. The man I speak about in the poem, not from the UK or whose problems were related in this way. His sufficiently severe enough to cause him a nightmare of an existence way beyond young adulthood. Your thoughts very much appreciated Paul.

Chris