THE DRAGON'S RIBBON

Breathe.

Accept.

Feel what's flowing through you.

Is it anger?

Is it fear?

Fear comes first.

Fear of not being good enough.

Fear of not being

Wanted.

The universe wants you.

The universe put you here.

Feel the hurt,

The anger,

The pain,

The fear,

Feel it.

Let it flow through you.

Don't run.

You are human.

You are imperfect and

This is a beautiful thing.

The cracked Japanese pot

Wears its flaws with honour.

We can accept

Our fears.

We can

let them flow through us.

Let them simmer,

Let them breathe,

Let them lessen.

We can tame this inner dragon.

There is no need to fight.

We can replace conflict

With compassion

And befriend

This part of ourselves.

END

ABOUT THE POEM - The Dragons Ribbon is the most recent poem of the five. I wrote it to myself during a period of intense anxiety and panic attacks.

OVERGROUND WOES

I am empty.

I am

Searching for

The right words.

I am desperate

For any words.

So I shall tell you,

I am empty.

Again I seek.

A feeling arrives:

Butterfly's.

My desire?

To weep.

I try but

nothing.

I am empty.

END

ABOUT THE POEM - Overground Woes was written on the train home after having a brutal argument with my ex-partner. I felt exhausted, low and numb as a result of the argument and needed to distract myself from thinking about a drink. I have used alcohol in the past as a way of trying to cope with anxiety and depression. I'm now sober and in active recovery.

ABOUT BILLIE

"I find writing poetry very cathartic. It helps me dig out the dirt building up inside. It also helps distract me from doing something I'd regret, like having a drink (or more drinks) and from sinking further into depression or anxiety. Meditating on dark themes has helped me process and release a lot of pain. Reading them back helps remind me to be kind to myself and to accept who I am. They remind me of where I've been and what I've overcome."



BACK TO FEATURED POETS