The stigma of her despair
She struggled every day at school
dragging her feet there anyway
life at home was not so cool
she rarely talked to anyone
at school they called her emo
she always dressed the same
black shirt, black jeans without a logo
a long black trench coat too
all clothes she got at Sally Ann
she died her hair jet black
painted her nails and lips
black with hints of maroon red
to match colour of blood,
it looked like her uniform
a suit of raw despair
because no one did care.
she tried to ask for help
saying she felt so sad
whenever she couldn’t stand
the pain, she chose to hurt herself
then students saw her marks
and bullied her some more
the teacher called her parents
so she could seek some help
but they screamed with such fury
for shaming the family.
And then one night
she found a way
to finally see some light
she’d leave this world
when school was out
her parents were at work
they found her in her bedroom,
a letter by her bed,
her parents cried
this tragic loss
and read her words in shock,
“I’m sorry that I shamed you
the stigma of my despair
appears to hurt you two
so now you’ll soon be blessed
not burdened with disgrace;
forgive me for this act
but finally, death will end my race
I’ll be in everlasting bliss
no pain, there, will exist.”
© Cheryl-Lynn 2014/06/21
This is one prompt I am pleased to write about. It is the basis of this blog. Write about “stigma”, Pooky Poetry Prompt 52
Addendum: I realize this is quite an intense and extreme poem. It is meant to send a powerful message that mental illness is not something to be ashamed of! There is help, there is treatment and there is recovery. Mental anguish, pain and illness is not caused by children teasing, taunting, parents who are at a loss in understanding…they may hurt a person more who may not have the strength emotionally and mentally to spring back. Please read the next post where I will talk more about getting help…reaching out. Cheryl-Lynn
Stop the Stigma 
Reblogged this on The ObamaCrat™.
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Thanks for sharing this. The story was so powerful and I can relate to feeling the stigma. I am in recovery and overcome this mental illness.
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I am so pleased to hear you are in recovery. This poem was meant to shock to get a point across however, I hesitated at the extreme…and yet, I hear of such sad stories too often. Speak out to those who’ll listen, you may actually save someone when they see you ARE in recovery. Blessings, Cheryl-Lynn
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Reblogged this on Cher Shares and commented:
Stigma deprives so many suffering youths and adults from getting proper treatment. There is treatment and there IS recovery.
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