Unrivalled Bliss
Entry for Things You Can't Say Out Loud Challenge
I feel
so often
not good at all
"I'm okay"
the perfect mask
perfect lie
I feel
so often
not good enough
"I'm okay"
—the perfect mask,
the perfect lie.
By the way
it feels
irresponsible
to say
that when
steel bites
flesh (accidental?)
blood
fills
and drenches
water and 3-ply paper
the piercing pain
is followed by
unrivalled bliss—
Sea of Tranquillity
serenity washes
over me.
*
Thanks for reading!
Author's Notes: Darker edged take on the challenge. I am okay presently, though.
About the Creator
Paul Stewart
Award-Winning Writer, Poet, Scottish-Italian, Subversive.
The Accidental Poet - Poetry Collection out now!
Streams and Scratches in My Mind coming soon!
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Masterful proofreading
Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme


Comments (9)
Well written but sadly too often true.
So sad, but so well written! Well done Paul!
This is certainly a heavy one, friend. But such a perfect entry to the challenge. Bottled up pain is not a light burden to bear.
I've learnt to doubt the superficial truth of lines like "I'm okay" or "I am fine." They often are, as you say, a mask... but sometimes it's a mask we wear to help ourselves. Intervention isn't always what's needed, but sometimes it is (the duality of humans, I guess?). I know it probably doesn't mean much coming from someone you don't know all too well on Vocal, but if you ever want to unload, I don't mind listening. Putting it in your writing can also be a great way to release it. Always, wishing you the best in life, Paul.
Is the Author's note supposed to be ironic? You're okay presently, but you've already established "I'm okay" is the perfect lie?
There will be no self harming today! Lol. I can joke as I use to bang my head in the wall. It really hurts. Anyway I think we all feel like this. Totally normal. If we had everything we ever wanted we’d have nowhere to go to and nowhere to evolve to. ☺️ 💚
Sometimes, that does feel blissful but it's often temporary. Sending you lots of love and hugs ❤️
Very vivid, my liege!
Good thing by the end of the poem one could pass out. What a poem.