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Notebooks 📝

Couldn’t she see I had to keep my head down to protect myself?

By Grz ColmPublished 2 years ago 1 min read
Top Story - October 2023
Notebooks 📝
Photo by pure julia on Unsplash

Notebooks 📝

In these many, many notebooks

He’d compulsively write,

Every thought,

Everything to remember,

To structure his speeding train of thoughts,

Using lists to get through each day,

And obsessively chronicling every hurtful or forgotten memory,

To work a way towards freedom..

There were copious positive affirmations, CBT notes to read aloud,

And occasionally a snippet of creative writing.

Keep your head down so

You don’t have to deal with what is right

In front of you..

***

Then she took my book - my inner world,

Just to see my reaction..

“Can I have my book back now please?”

Can you believe she had the audacity?

I sure didn’t.

Then, she kept hold of it on the other side of the table and

Smiled -

Like this was some sort of OCD/response prevention game!

That I was not in the mood for.

Couldn’t she see I had to keep my damn head down down

Down,

To protect myself!?

📓

***

If you would like to read another short free verse about the importance 😅of not touching someone’s books you can do so below. The one above is obviously about me, “Bag of Books” is based on someone else.

If you liked it, please consider hitting the heart, leaving a comment or subscribing for more to encourage my future poems, short stories and film reviews. Many thanks.

performance poetry

About the Creator

Grz Colm

Film and TV reviews, 🎞 as well as short stories and free verse poems.

Reader insights

Outstanding

Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!

Top insights

  1. Compelling and original writing

    Creative use of language & vocab

  2. Easy to read and follow

    Well-structured & engaging content

  3. Eye opening

    Niche topic & fresh perspectives

  1. Heartfelt and relatable

    The story invoked strong personal emotions

  2. On-point and relevant

    Writing reflected the title & theme

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Comments (41)

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  • E.K. Daniels2 years ago

    Always like to see mental health discussed in literature. Well done!

  • Paul Stewart2 years ago

    Well call me a flaming arsehole as I thought I had commented and liked this already. Totally resonate with this, although it's my computer that is most precious to me and my WIP folder lol. Recently, though, I've taken to writing in a notebook too...if you want to call it "writing" it's like a GP's handwriting. Congrats on Top Story

  • Renessa Norton2 years ago

    The AUDACITY! Very well written.

  • Gina C.2 years ago

    Oh, this was so powerful, Grz! I feel like I've had some similar struggles, through they manifested a little differently than this. However, writing is definitely a way I've used to try to "free" myself. Wonderful expression!

  • Kristen Balyeat2 years ago

    I felt this one, Grz. I had a similar experience as a child. You described that violation so perfectly here. The memory is emblazoned in my mind. Great expression of thought and emotion, and congrats on top story!! 💫💞

  • Joe Patterson2 years ago

    Awesome poem. Congratulations on your top story. 🎉🎉🎉

  • So much said in so few words and lines. If Better Help and similar mental health platforms had a blog, this would be a piece that would resonante with many. Congratulations on Top Story!

  • Tiffany Gordon2 years ago

    I feel you on this one! Wonderful work!

  • Hazi sultan2 years ago

    if you have any kind of issue than contact https://greatmuslimastrologer.com/

  • Congratulations on your Top Story🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

  • k eleanor2 years ago

    Beautifully written, Congratulations❤

  • i truly understand what it means to "keep you head down to protect yourself. "

  • Excellent poem and well deserved to see it on Vocal's front page

  • Test2 years ago

    Beautifully writtten, we need 'notebooks' for self-preservation I think. Poignant and powerful, and resonated hard. Congratulations of a wonderful Top Story! 🤍

  • Congratulations 🥳

  • Dana Stewart2 years ago

    I think she was flirting with you 😊but toying with your emotions, not in a good way. Great poem, Grz

  • StoryholicFinds2 years ago

    Congratulations ❤️

  • Kelsey Clarey2 years ago

    Congrats on the stop story! This gave me some second hand panic. XD

  • Margaret Brennan2 years ago

    The ironic part of this poem is that while I have no problem sharing my writings with friends, I feel very awkward sharing them with relatives, including my husband. Is that weird?

  • Caroline Jane2 years ago

    So you don't have to deal with what is right In front of you. Ouch. This prickled. ❤ Congratulations!

  • Cathy holmes2 years ago

    Wonderful. Congrats on the TS.

  • Test2 years ago

    Congratulations on Top Story!! I liked the overall feel of this piece!

  • Babs Iverson2 years ago

    Hearted earlier!!! Congratulations on Top Story!°❤️❤️💕

  • Oh you shattered my heart. Truly, what a wonder you presented in such a devastating fashion. Bravo

  • Andrei Z.2 years ago

    This was good! I liked how it flowed. Did not expect that turn of events in the second part. Like a silent tempest. But hey, look up, eh?

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