Hi everyone,
Lately, I've been struggling quite a lot with my mental health. To be honest, I still am, which explains why I haven't been active online in quite some time. But this also provides me with a lot of time for introspection and to explore thoughts I normally wouldn't even entertain. Whether this is a good thing or a bad thing, well, that's definitely up for debate.
Anyway, I've come to the realisation that the world feels a lot colder than it did just a few years ago.
In a society, where many of us are overlooked, it has become increasingly more easy to feel isolated, lonely. Struggling to find our place amidst the chaos. A chaos that could potentially be our downfall. Inspired by Robert Frost's poem, Fire and Ice, where he explores desire (fire) and hate (ice) as potential forces to destroy our world, I tried another angle. So without further ado:
It is not in fire, nor in ice,
In which I shall find my grim demise.
But in a world turned cold, unkind,
Where broken hearts are redefined.
Beneath this sheen of light we see,
A darkness thrives, so silently.
This cruelty of man, unbound, runs wild,
It touches all, both grown and child.
No mind is safe when thoughts go stray,
So carelessly, minds fray away.
So no, dear sir,
It is not in fire, nor in ice,
In which our world will find
Its demise.
Writing this poem was as cathartic as it was painful. It articulates a truth I personally feel and experience deeply, the indifference that seems to have seeped into every aspect of our lives these days. “But in a world turned cold, unkind” reflects not only my own struggle, but those of many others who are suffering in silence. Their hearts breaking while the world continues as if nothing is wrong. The line “ this cruelty of man, unbound, runs wild” captures a lack of empathy in our current world, which can lead to suffering in everyone “both grown and child”. It doesn't discriminate, but serves as a reminder of the potential for harm that exists within us, and the need for awareness and compassion to combat it. Everyone is fighting their own battles, often unnoticed by others.
I wanted to be more open about my own challenges, some periods are more difficult than others, and lately, I've been stuck in a low mood, where it feels like the weight of the entire world is pressing down upon me. The sentence “no mind is safe when thoughts go stray” is one that feels more personal to me. It is a reminder of how fragile our mental health can be, and how in our “bad states” we can perceive the world as even colder than usual. It is easy to let despair and despondency seep into our souls when we are surrounded by indifference. And if we are not careful it, in turn, can shift us into the same mindset.
I invite you to reflect upon my poem and share your thoughts. How do you cope with feelings of being overlooked? What does “the cruelty of man” mean to you? I hope this piece resonated with you. As we navigate the world together, let's try to be more compassionate. If you too are overwhelmed by the state of the world, or your own struggles, please know that you are not alone.
With warmth and love,
Sofia
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