Self Harm Awareness Day

[littlecubspirit]

Hi everyone,

For those of you who don't know, March 1st is National Self Harm Awareness Day. This is something that I have struggled with since I was 15 years old. In honor of the day, and to bring attention to this important issue I wrote a poem, which I wanted to share with all of you. Feedback and support is of course much appreciated.

Butterfly

Did you know?
Not all caterpillars become butterflies

Its hard work
Adapting to a world you seem unsuited for
When all you want to do is stay a fuzzy caterpillar forever

But the world doesn’t work that way
We are forced to change and grow
And as we do
We worry

Will we be “enough?”
Smart enough
Strong enough
Resourceful enough
Pretty enough
Handsome enough
The list is endless

They say beauty comes from being unique
Like the pattern on the butterfly’s wings

But what if we stand out too much
In a world where we are told
How to act and who to be?

As our changes begin
We dream
Like the butterfly wrapped in its chrysalis

But reality intrudes
And soon we must struggle out
From the security blanket
Of our childhood innocence
As the butterfly sheds its chrysalis

We stand poised on the edge of the world
Not sure how to go about taking it on
A  butterfly with wet, useless wings

Sometimes
We jump
Or are pushed too early
And hurt ourselves in the process

Some get up again
Discouraged and disillusioned
And keep the pain as a memory
Of the harshness of the world

Others do not
Their short flight
Both beautiful and lethal

I too have the spirit of the butterfly
I too have had my wings damaged
But I watch the transformation of thousands
And wish we could all become butterflies

Moving together to witness and embrace the beauty of our world
An individualistic community
That supports each other
For even if our wings
Our very transformations are unique
We all deserve to become butterflies

[Kevin R.I.]

we ALL care about OUR Misha and don`t want anything bad to happen to her.

[Raving Meaviac]

     Misha.... your lovely verses  reinforce  the idea that we are all a work in progress .  I   have been that low in my life a number of times in the past.  Surrendering my will  to positive forces helped me to become stronger inside. I am on the other side now ( by the grace of God )  which is why I have a continuing desire to be of service to others who struggle emotionally.  This service , in turn , helps me in immeasurable ways.  I think you are already  a butterfly   Misha.    

[IloveyouSarahBurke!! <3]

I find this interesting that it`s on my birthday... Don`t know if that`s a good sign or not....

[littlecubspirit]

Don't take it as a "sign" and read into it. And if it were to mean something, I would say it is a positive thing. You are, after all, one of the very butterflies I am talking about, those who have struggled but find the strength to keep fighting. I love you

[littlecubspirit]

A Poem originally written for our own Sarah

The Music is Fading
The last glimmer of daylight gives way to the dark.
The last strains of music are fading from my heart.
The road seems ever longer in night’s cunning grasp.
Each step is now painful and comes with a gasp.

As I trudge forward I wonder will my burdens ease?
Will the joyful sound of birdsong again echo through these trees?
My thoughts become muddled and mired in despair
As branches and brambles catch in my hair

I’ve wandered forever
Long since lost my way
And I shiver through nighttime
Anxious for day

But it dawns quite gray
And awful clouds form
When I’ve just given up
A voice calls through the storm

I make my way towards it
With hesitant tread
It might be a monster
I realize with dread

I stumble through trees and bushes and heather
Just barely make out a girl dressed for the weather.
She seems to be able to withstand the storm
Maybe with her help I’ll finally be safe and warm.

When I’ve taken the very last step that I can
She reaches out quickly and catches my hand
A familiar voice whispers “we’ll reach the end”
And so I do with the help of a friend.

[urbanracer34]

Very nice poems Misha! I agree 100%, we all are a work in progress, and that friends are there always, thought the good and the bad.

One quote that comes to my mind, and one you might recognize is this: "Happiness can be found in even the darkest of times, but only if one remembers to turn on the light"

We all care about you very much and don't want anything to happen to you. You really are a butterfly, inside and out. Never forget it!
If you (or anyone else) ever needs to talk or vent, I'm here.

[Chandler Mattson]

I really like your poems, Misha. Great job! Very deep & touching & you can tell it came from your heart.

[Hubert]

Your words are beautiful and inspiring.  Thank you!

[littlecubspirit]

You are welcome. The words do come from the heart, as I draw on my own experiences when I write. I am glad the poems speak to you and inspire you