Dance
A poem about mental health and self-service check-outs...
Dance was written during lockdown. It was originally written in the third-person but as I am now comfortable owning my bi-polar diagnosis I have rewritten it in the first person... as it's all about me!
Dance
I dance with the checkout girl in the small supermarket
Who is always elegant with shining nails.
We shimmy around each other, distance metered
As she sets free the wine,
Proving that self service is not something I can manage,
Not before, not now, and assumedly not ever.
About the Creator
Alyson Smith
Writer & Artist with Level I Autism & a whole lot of Bipolar. Based in Newcastle- upon - Tyne, works as an administrator in a Nursing Home. MA in Creative Writing.
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Hiraeth
I don't often write about my mental health stuff even though I am comfortable and confident (now!) to talk about it. I have no qualms in sharing my bi-polar diagnosis, but this is due to me feeling safe in doing so. This poem Hiraeth was written for my MA in Creative Writing that I am still shocked that I even started let alone completed and passed! I went on to write a few more personal pieces that I will share on Vocal, but this is probably my favourite. 'Hiraeth' is currently being developed as song lyrics by a group in America, should get an update by the end of July. Exciting!
By Alyson Smith 2 years ago in Poets
📢 Raise Your Voice Thread: 01/08/2026
Our “Raise Your Voice Threads” are hosted most alternating Thursdays at 12PM ET to offer creators more avenues to uncover exceptional stories on Vocal. As we are continuously searching for fresh creators and inspiring stories, this thread provides an opportunity to exchange and discuss the stories that have moved and motivated us on Vocal.
By Raise Your Voice by Vocal4 days ago in Resources
Comments (4)
Wow, creative.
This brought back memories of the lockdown time, truly. Nice poem!
Impactful word choice. I appreciate the story you've told in a compact space. The tightness of the words and their brevity helps to build the sense of being confined, in life, in choices, having to negotiate yourself in the spaces in between. Enjoyed your writing!
Excellent words, they convey so much