Thought I'd share a poem about recovery...

[uriel1972]

The Abyss

Falling, ever falling.
Torn by the razor winds of the Abyss.
Falling, ever falling,

Screaming and broken,
Alone and forsaken
I shatter as I hit the bottom.

In inescapable agony, I watch.
As a bloodied angel with broken wings,
Advances in silver light.

She rests my head in her tender arms,
Offering me her wrist,
We drink deeply from each other’s wounds.

Filled anew with energy,
I bow before her renewed glory,
And take my leave.

Climbing, ever climbing
I defeat the walls of the Abyss,
Climbing, ever climbing.

After an eternity
Of handhold by handhold
I reach the top of the Abyss

In the darkness, I see.
The ivory towers of my former tormentors,
A howl builds in my throat.

I scream
Shaking the foundations,
Of the now threatened towers.

I double over in pain,
As blood pours from my back
The skin tears as wings burst through.

Glistening in the moonlight,
Raven wings cut the night,
As I fly from the sullied world of my torture.

It's all about the love and trust I recieved from a CBT/coffee group and the transformative power of radical acceptence from Acceptence, Commitment Therapy. I let go of my rage at the injustice and abuse I suffered. Not forgiveness, not forgetting, but simple acceptance

[hunter]

1. I'm never sure if I should read such expressions or not.

For the same reason I don't watch movies I might find upsetting, no matter how exquisite or powerful the art.

It's always frightening to me that I can reach so easily back and pull something up out of the dark.

When I do I shield myself with a nervous grin.

[uriel1972]

2. If I have caused any harm I sincerely apologize

I just wanted to share my expression of hope, that there is light and life at the end of the tunnel even if getting there is difficult and painful. There have been many times I wanted to give up in despair, that I thought that there was nothing for me. It still isn't easy, but I'm doing alright.

[Tobin S.]

3. That's very powerful and wonderful work of art

It looks like you and I have gone through a similar process. Stricken to revelation to rejuvination. The metaphor of falling into never ending darkness and being shattered particularly resonates with me. That's what happens when you become severely mentally ill. You are no longer whole; everything just falls apart.

Good stuff, uriel. Post some more if you've got them and if you'd like to.

[uriel1972]

5. I'm hesitent to post my other poetry

as it can be quite angry and dark and I don't want to take people to places they don't want to go especially if they are feeling fragile. However, here is a link to the work I've put up online at a site called Redbubble. www.redbubble.com search for uriel1972. Thankyou for the positive responses.

[mopinko]

4. a great work.

putting it out there, in all it's honest glory, is definitely a useful part of dealing with emotions, even the more pedestrian sort. i tell people about my paintings- art is not about beauty, it is about truth. so many great works are quite ugly. but we need to put that stuff where we can see it.
keep writing.