The Hidden Help

Gold cherry
Poem of the week

By Jane Hyphen

Sat, 27 Oct 2018
  • 10273 reads
26 comments
 

 

They’re back

The hidden help

I woke with them inside

Something’s wrong

 

They talk among themselves

And they are right, just

Like the voice I heard

When I was hidden too

Before I’d ever made a sound

 

How do they get in?

They slip into a gap

Inside my dream, a hole

I wake and instantly I know

And then it’s sealed

As fast as yesterday

 

I cannot make them leave

The deeper they go

Dragging me along

l feel myself turning inward

Whispers in the camp

In a capsule closed

We are floating through space

 

My air is running out

And they need nothing

But their host, I have lost

My sense of self

No-one will hear me now

And these walls they thicken

So far away the light

I’m never sure I can return

 

 

Certificate 12
Poem

Comments

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

This seems like a nightmare too, a dreaded loss of self and identity? I want to say, 'Wake up, and shake it all away!' but maybe I've got it all totally wrong, so, tell me … Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

Hi Rhiannon, yes it's a waking nighmare. Sometimes I wake up with a sense of feeling really stuck inside myself, no connection to the present and these negative thoughts. Fortunately I can usually shake this off but for some people this sort of thing I suppose is constant and must be intolerable.

 

Submitted by hilary west on

Yes, this is nightmarish and the psyche can be troubling, best just rest up and hope they go away!

Hilary  frown

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

Thanks Hilary. The psyche can be troubling indeed and go wrong at any point, no-one is mental illness proof but you're right about rest. I suppose in times of stress people cannot get adequate rest and then the mind can unravel.

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

You are so right, that happened to me and it was terrible.

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

You are so right, that happened to me and the consequences were terrible.

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

 

"it’s sealed

As fast as yesterday"

reminded me of seeing someone I love with dementia, like how people used to be sealed up alive? But they were sealed up inside their head

I hope you are free again soon. Can you go for a very long walk with a dog? I used to find their inrterest and excitement in everything would burst most bubbles ? Then maybe you can sleep

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

Thanks Di_Hard. You're right about dogs they're brilliant for bringing you into the present, being outside with mine works a treat. I am actually fine, this peice is an exaggeration of how I feel. An attempt to project how some people become trapped within unhealthy facets of themselves and how it comes in cycles.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Jane, 

you caught that nightmarish feeling, I know because years ago I used to experience something quite similar on a regular basis. The way I would describe it, It's almost like a feeling of someone controlling you to the point where you can't wake up and you can't move. In fact you've given me an idea for the I P.

I'm off to write it down now.

Thank you for sharing this.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

Thanks Jenny. That sounds dreadful but you came out the other side. I love it when writers on here inspire each other, often I am motivated by what others post. 

 

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

Thanks for the cherries xx

 

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

Frightening and claustrophobic, this piece communicates a particular feeling so well.  

It's our facebook and twitter pick of the day, do share if you like it too.

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

Thanks for this.

 

Submitted by hudsonmoon on

Glad I read this, Jane. Sometimes you think you're the only one. If I didn't have writiing I'd go crazy. Such a wonderful poem. Thank you.

Rich

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

Hi Rich, thanks for your lovely comment. I'm the same, without writing, trees and my pets I'd be certifiable.

 

Submitted by celticman on

yes, voices inside your head take all the air. 

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

Thanks celticman. There's lots of air between my ears, still I wish they would put a proverbial sock in it.

 

Submitted by Denzella on

Hello,

Nightmares are awful.  With me, it's a side effect of the medication and I tend to scream out which can be a bit unnerving for anyone in the house at the time.  Years ago I used to dream about rats which I hate and that was awful too.

Still, enjoyed the poem even though it was a nasty subject.

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

Denzella, that sounds horrible with the rats Once I dreamt that there were a group of strangers in my back garden staring up at the window and nothing would make them leave. I guess with your medication you must get them more frequently, not very restful! Thanks for commentng.

 

Submitted by Stephen Thom on

Terribly recognisable and a very real projection of these thought spirals and feelings. Lovely touches throughout 'in a capsule closed we are floating through space'. Rich, dark and all too real, great work

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

Thanks Stephen for your comment. I think thought spirals is an accurate way of describing it.

 

Submitted by forest_for_ever on

For some reason this brought 'locked in syndrome' to my mind  I had a dream once where people thought I was dead, but I tried to scream and let them know...I couldn't.  Beatifully written.

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

That sounds awful and very similar to one I had after my father died (very sudden) where he was alive again and only I knew that he'd died, I wanted to let him know but couldn't. The dreamworld can be a cruel place. Thanks for your comment.

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

This is our Poem of the Week - Congratulations!

 

Submitted by hoalarg1 on

This is a lovely poem. I can see myself here. You have expressed it so well. I tread through these waters quite often. I'm working on it...

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

Thanks hoalarg, it's a nightmare isn't it. Work on getting used to it or chase it away for good but I suppose it could always be waiting in the shadows.