I was around 10 and in primary school in Ireland, when I started writing creatively. Looking back on those years, I realize it was a combination of a creative mind, but also a way to temporarily escape from my surroundings. Life was tough – mentally and physically. The poems and short stories I created, gave my mind a different direction in which to wander. Writing, has always been my personal therapy.
Anyone who has been put down or beat down at home, knows the loneliness of that existence. It’s almost as if you are in solitary confinement in your own house. You have no choice, but to serve your time without any kind of advocate in your corner. You do your best to avoid eye contact with your jailers. One off-the-cuff, smart-arse remark can easily result in a fat lip.
As I got older, the writing took more of a back seat to life. It didn’t go away – it just lay dormant until I was ready to breathe life back into it. For the past couple of decades, I have concentrated more on article and manuscript writing. My first book to be published, a memoir about growing up in County Donegal, came out in October, 2016. Strangely, I also felt a strong pull around that time to return to my first love; poetry.
This is the first poem I felt inspired to write, in many years. I am looking forward to writing many more.
Alone Time
by J.P. Sexton
Thoughts drip
Forming rivers
In my mind
Like window pane
Rain
Demons demand
My time
Lurking, waiting
To strike without
Warning
The past
Has passed
But not gone
Away
The future
Has them
They loom
Dark as plague
Threatening
Drip, drip
They seep
Into my mind
And start
Meandering.
Wow…intense, and very effective …(Maybe should be shared with PTSD sufferers…They will defiantly relate to this… Tweet with hashtag #PTSD ?) -You sure haven’t lost it…any chance of seeing some of your old stuff too ?
I am so glad you are back to your first love. It shows. “Alone Time” is deeply moving. The mind is always a chaotic place….some more so than others. You are a good chaotic character (www.easydamus/chaoticgood.) In my mind’s eye I can see the letters forming words streaking down the glass. The past was very dark…..the future is yours to write.
I too had that experience in my youth I too found solace in words must start writing again Your poem has that flowing stream of consciousness about it that taps into the never ending intimate dialogues of ourselves Well Done
Thank you Yvonne. I hope you start writing again.