THE FOLLOWING POEM WAS SELECTED IN WINGWORD POETRY PRIZE 2023 LONGLIST.

Does it really feel like this?

Does the agony ever end?

‘Just get over it’ they say

Though I wish I could find a way;

My heart shattered in a million pieces,

I try to live with it day by day.

They say to follow my heart

But how can I?

When I am still trying to hide from the torturing wrath;

Tears rolling down my scarred cheeks

How should I hide them?

When the pain is squeezing me to hide;

When life loses faith

My trust is broken,

How should I smile?

When my lips have gone dry;

How should I focus?

When my brain has gone fused,

How should I trust ‘em?

When I am broken from inside;

How should I forget the pain?

When it is driving me insane.

I have lost trust in my heart,

My story has no end,

I can’t forget my past,

Though I am trying to live once again…