Source
r/OCPoetry•
Oldhippie52

Nightmares

Poem

This is for those of us who understand .............. contents might be disturbing

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You feel them grab your feet

To pull you into the brush

They’re going to make you ashes

You will turn to dust

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The smell hits your nostrils

The stench is so thick

It’s just the smell

The smell makes you sick

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You bolt upright and scream

Then realize tis but a dream

Your partner sits and hugs you

Asks you if it was ‘”the dream”

​

You apologize profusely

For disturbing her sleep

It is something you’ll never vanquish

Something you don’t want to keep

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But after awhile

You are misunderstood

She leaves, face it buddy

You are damaged goods

​

You are tired of “the dream”

Of hearing the door slam

You are powerless

Still stuck in ‘Nam

​

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https://www.reddit.com/r/OCPoetry/comments/xkuqff/comment/iph3bgb/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

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https://www.reddit.com/r/OCPoetry/comments/xkwwmo/the_carousel_2019_trigger_warning_depression/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

Posted Sep 22, 2022, 2:50 PM UTC

26
G-Honda•

God damn. Brutal stuff. I do hope this was not your actual experience. Although it's all the more powerful if it is, I suppose. Good work!

2
Oldhippie52OP•

Well unfortunately a lot of us have this life. The experiences that produced it were crazy, especially the stench of death so strong and making you sick. And thank you so much for your comment. I only started wearing my hat and stuff in the last year, wanted to hide it away but gee whiz, sometimes life can be rough.

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I still have a hard time with wind chimes. It's top (first sergeant) collecting everyone's dog tags clinking in his hand before something bad happening.

1
cruelchampagne•

I'm so sorry you experienced that and still suffer today, that's horrible.

I really love the poem, though, I think you put everything into words really well. I especially like the "She leaves, face it buddy / You are damaged goods" because I think it can be relatable to a lot of mental illnesses, even beyond PTSD. It's that feeling that you're fundamentally broken, and everyone you love will end up leaving you because of it, because why date someone like that, when you could find someone "normal"? I definitely relate at least, so that part hit pretty hard.

I also liked the stanza about "the stench", the repetition of "the smell" made it flow very nicely and it really drives home just how traumatizing this smell was for the narrator, and emphasizes the horror of experiencing it again in a nightmare.

Wonderful job, this was a great read! I wish you many peaceful dreams in the future.

2
Oldhippie52OP•

Thank you very much. I was thinking it might relate to a lot of people, rather they had shell shock or not. Like you said, mental illness and other things happen to people.

And of course you have to face the reality of being broken goods, and yeah, they will find someone normal. Because of all the door slams in your face.

I am glad you liked it for the powerful messages I was sending. Because we can never give up, giving up means automatic losing.

2
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[deleted]•

[removed]

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