“Disturbed,” they called her. “Something off kilter in that one,” they whispered when her back was turned. She heard their voices on her walk to the bridge. She’d been there many times before and the water always looked lovely. Sometimes the water meandered slowly and other times, it seemed like a rushing deluge. She imagined her body cold to the touch and just floating away.
Today, the water seemed hard. She could feel the rocks cutting her skin, scarlett bleeding out into the water. She rubbed the eighty-seven scars on her arm. Eighty-eight, eighty-nine, ninety. The blood would seep down the river, through the veins of the town. No one would see it, but a part of her would be in the water they used to wash their hands. She relaxed at the thought, but her body stayed as still as ice. And then, like a light switch, the voices turned off. She pulled down her sleeve, covering the scars, and walked home.
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15 comments:
Oh! I thought I was the dark, moody one! Ouch. This is very nice, and disturbing.
Is it based on a real person? I guess you're not allowed to say!!
Thanks. No it's based a bunch of experiences and people. A lot of cutters out there.
empathy can be disturbing..! well written!
this is a disturbing poem, especially knowing it is based on several experiences. i too work in mental health and know too many people that feel this way.
very well writ, you really captured it.
As a teacher I too have faced such situations. Disturbing..
Introducing myself
In some ways, this makes me feel the way I imagine cutters feel- numb. She is generic. I don't mean to be overly critical, but working with at-risk, the behavior is too familiar to feel drawn in.
Thanks for the read.
I agree with the others who say it's difficult knowing this one is very easily based on reality.
While all people are different there is something about a cutter, especially when young, that is generic
It was very disturbing and good
very chilling and a bit scary...but you did so well. Thank you for stopping by, which in turn brought me to your space. Very nice.
Very nicely done.
Nicely done - your words are vibrantly alive with a touch of chill and confusion -
Thank you all for the nice comments & stopping by.
:-)
it is so very, very like that for those who cut.. makes me wanna just cry all over again...
Wow. I thought she was going to jump from the beginning, or at least contemplate it.
It's sad, but too real for many people.
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