Hello Em,

new poem from you and not as acrostic - well let's take a closer look:

Stanza 1
I see this is a self-reflective piece. In the stanza, i like how you emotionally grab the reader, helping you understand the 'heartache' and the reason why the 'silhouettes' are now part of you 'etched' The mention of 'scars' drums home the abuse and why your heartache is so prominent.

Stanza 2
Again the use of the word 'heavy' shows how much you cry and how hard, coupled with the physical shoulder pain. Pain like this is not just emotional, it also makes your body ache! I understand the burden of helping others, although, for me, its more like helping others that you can relate to, understanding their kind of hardship, indeed, wanting more for them. 'born to listen' having a tough start in life is like being born into helping others. I don't think it is easy to empathise if you haven't personally experienced hardship.

Stanza 3
I always smile when i see 'obituary' in your poetry. For me it is like sailing back to Dover and see the white cliffs - i just know its one of yours! :) Seriously this stanza speaks a dark truth, although death is sometimes sought, it is also feared and for good reason too! There is too much life ahead, too many people to help, too many opportunities...

Stanza 4
I read this about your coping mechanisms. When life is tough, like yours, one has to learn to survive. Some retreat, some put on a face and pretend, some use chemicals, some self-harm, whilst others try and mixture. None of this is deliberate, but the human condition is to survive. I know that some of these seem counterintuitive, but some time we just need to take one day at a time. Your choice here to paint a pretty face helped, but put a wall up to hide the decay. I'd like to think poetry helps to restore you faith in life.

Stanza 5
As mentioned above, chemicals (medicines) and suicide thoughts are symptoms. By introducing this shares your experience with others; also, how unkind others can be. This is powerful and i commend your honesty.

Stanza 6
This stanza tells a lot, of the development of self and with it no longer needing prescriptive meds. Love then came and though you deserved more you got less and this reminded you of your own worth. The last line, i think, reveals that when we are low, our demons return - i guess they are never truly gone, just kept away.

Stanza 7
Here we are up to date. 'Braver and stronger...' still helping others and passing on the gift of self-worth and fighting against those who take advantage.

Em, i liked this, the honesty is raw and real. You say like it is and there is no hiding in an image there.

Take it easy Em xx