If Only to Breathe | Teen Ink
  1. Home
  2. Poetry
  3. Free Verse
  4. If Only to Breathe

If Only to Breathe

July 31, 2013
By RosieB. GOLD, Torrance, California
More by this author
RosieB. GOLD, Torrance, California
15 articles 3 photos 6 comments
View profile

These slits on my wrist
resemble gills
and make me feel
like I'm breathing
instead of drowning.

© Ariana R., New Orleans, LA

The author's comments:
I find that a lot of people have a certain stigma against those who self-harm, and immediately label it as a mediocre cry for attention. I wrote this poem not to advocate self-harm, but to help others (and myself) to better understand why these individuals feel the need to relieve their pain in such a self-destructive way.
Post a comment
Submit your own

Similar Articles

Previous Next
Poetry
Silence
By bitty09 SILVER
Claymont, Delaware
bitty09 SILVER, Claymont, Delaware
5 articles 0 photos 0 comments
View profile
Poetry
Different
By sHaDoWnInJa PLATINUM
West Jordan, Utah
sHaDoWnInJa PLATINUM, West Jordan, Utah
31 articles 0 photos 3 comments
View profile
Poetry
One Piece... One Destiny
By Matt Groy GOLD
Park City, Utah
Matt Groy GOLD, Park City, Utah
11 articles 0 photos 0 comments
View profile
Poetry
Med-O-Lark
By Mew13 SILVER
Princeton, New Jersey
Mew13 SILVER, Princeton, New Jersey
5 articles 0 photos 0 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;If there were to be a universal sound depicting peace, I would surly vote for the purr.&quot;<br /> (Barbara L. Diamond)

View profile
Poetry
Praying for October
By Poe_poe SILVER
DeMotte, Indiana
Poe_poe SILVER, DeMotte, Indiana
7 articles 0 photos 0 comments
View profile
Poetry
Combine
By BreLee SILVER
Sula, Montana
BreLee SILVER, Sula, Montana
7 articles 0 photos 0 comments
View profile

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

This article has 2 comments.

RosieB. GOLD said...
on Aug. 1 2013 at 12:58 pm
RosieB. GOLD, Torrance, California
15 articles 3 photos 6 comments
View profile
Thanks so much for reading it! 
sarah98 BRONZE said...
on Jul. 31 2013 at 6:58 pm
sarah98 BRONZE, Holyoke, Massachusetts
1 article 0 photos 405 comments

Favorite Quote:
It is better to write for yourself and have no audience than write for your audience and have no self.

View profile
that was sad, scary, and beautiful at the same time. simply wow.