Distracting Intrusive Thoughts
Another Dancing with Distraction Challenge entry!
Distracting
Intrusive thoughts
Suffocate me
Torture me
Rattle me
As I try to sleep, try to rest, try to forget
Creeping like death, the moment I close my eyes
Tattooed on my mind
Incapacitating me
Only comfort is sleep, when and if it comes
Nullifying me
*
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Paul Stewart
Award-Winning Writer, Poet, Scottish-Italian, Subversive.
The Accidental Poet - Poetry Collection out now!
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📢 Raise Your Voice Thread: 01/08/2026
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By Raise Your Voice by Vocal7 days ago in Resources
Comments (8)
Last night I couldn't tell whether my eyes were closed or not. I couldn't feel my eyelids. That was distracting!
Those SOB night-time thoughts. It's the ones I have when I wake in the middle of the night and can't fall back to blissful numbing sleep. You described these feelings perfectly.
This was good, Paul! And IS true. Does 'nullifying' = 'resetting' or 'canceling out'?
Paul, this is really such a powerful piece! The stillness/quiet does bring on the onslaught. I have been there, where sleep is the only thing that seems to soothe life's hardships. Beautiful job conveying this common feeling!
Only comfort is sleep, when and if it comes. That line hit me so hard! Brilliant poem!
This is really good Paul. It can be so hard to empty your mind sometimes!
Another strong piece, Paul. *Disclaimer* I'm your friend, and this is unsolicited. So throw this (the fck) out if it doesn't resonate with you, ok? But I have a question for you: Have you ever just *listened* to the thoughts? As though you were listening to someone else speaking? Is there harm in hearing what they have to say? 💙
gorgeous work! Sorry 2 hear that you are dealing with them... PRAYING! 🙏🏾