NEAR A SPRING

By Tim Boardman

I’ve lost my hair.

I’ve lost my lust.

All my shining dreams

have turned to dust.

My friends are going

or becoming lost.

They’re waiting for me

in the hot sands

near a spring,

where they crossed 

I said to Simon,

How lonely does it get?

I still haven’t heard —

yet

but I hear him laughing,

questioning

in the temple of love

high above.

I walk with a stick —

not for support,

but for the look of it,

second hand bought 

I was made like this.

I had no choice.

The need to express.

The need to create.

To prove I exist.

I sit in the house 

where the light is strong.

Outside,

the signs of spring

are waiting.

My friends are going

or becoming lost.

They’re waiting for me

in the hot sands

near a spring,

where they crossed 

The river isn’t flowing as fast.

The earth begins to dry.

I stare outside,

waiting

for you to arrive 

My friends are going

or becoming lost.

They’re waiting for me

in the hot sands

near a spring,

where they crossed

I'M FALLING

By Teryl Garcia

Now the pills 

Have met the whiskey

And the room is melting

Beneath my feet

Jesus, this is finally it,

I’m coming

So get ready for me

For years now we’ve been

Out of touch

A mutual losing of faith

So you can’t reach out your hand

To catch this falling child

Pull her out of

This self made mess

Descending alone

With only myself to blame

Let’s gather around 

Eyes shut

Hands tied

What could you have done

The colors bleed

But I swear it’s okay

I’ll never need help

Or at least I’ll never ask

I'm just fine

Don’t bother with promises

ABOUT TERYL: Teryl is a theatre practitioner and educator from Texas who processes her emotions on the page. She has performed her work at various spoken word events and has had several short plays featured at theatre festivals. She holds an MFA in Theatre from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She absolutely loves puppetry, and has won a Hawaii State Theatre Council Award for puppet design. Her dog, Bisbee, is her inspiration both in art and life.

WHERE DREAMS GO TO DIE

By Brad Copp

Dreams come to us all

Things we would like to do

Some are big, some are small

We only hope they come true

Afraid of the unknown

We let years pass by

Stuck in the comfort zone 

Where dreams go to die

Scared to try something new 

Frightened by the other side 

Never knowing if it is true

We may enjoy the ride

Many dreams will turn to stone

All we had to do was try

Stuck in the comfort zone

Where dreams go to die

Follow our dream

Follow our heart

It sounds extreme

Let the adventure start

Believe that we can

Give it a chance 

God has a plan

For our life to enhance

I WISH I HAD NO ARMS

By Mark Burgon

You think "That's just wrong"

"It's selfish"

"Some people are born that way"

"Some people have to have them removed

Through disease or war or accident"

So I should be grateful.

I've still got arms?

Arms that can feel

And touch

And do 'normal' stuff.

And not look 'abnormal'

So that people say

"That poor man

That must be so hard

Living with no arms

How do they get through life?

Without people judging them

Without the constant sympathetic gestures

How do they survive?

But they do have a sign

So clear as neon.

A sign that says

Part of me is broken

It's not my fault

It's NOT my fault

I never wanted this broken part of me

So don't be sorry for me

It won't change me

You can't fix me.

Just 'see' me.

Really SEE me.

Even when I do have arms.

Even without the neon sign.

In their own words, writers and poets write about their own personal journey with mental health.

Ten amazing writers and poets talking about their own personal journey with mental health.

Featuring poets from around the world, with up to six pieces of their work, and a little about the author and the stories behind their work.

And lots more ...

Promoting poetry books and publications.