More Poetry for Mental Health Awareness Month
My mind always leaves situations before my body.
One post this month wasn’t enough—mental health deserves more space, more discussion, and more understanding. Plus, I wanted to share some more of my favorite mental health references from my new book, The Music Was Just Getting Good.
Content Warning: Excerpts explore potentially heavy topics related to mental health. If you are struggling, please know that help is available. If you need immediate support, you can call or text 988.
Excerpts from The Music Was Just Getting Good
My mind always leaves situations before my body. I know I am done long before I walk out front doors for the last time. - Track 13
I abandoned myself like a failed rescue mission. Let the flashlights go dark. Let the thoughts and prayers dwindle. Accepted being yesterday’s news. I didn’t just need space away from myself, I needed years. - Track 11
My therapist told me to write down five reasons why I’m happy to be alive, but I could only think of four. (You were one of the four reasons though.) - Track 7
We've forgotten how to rest. Or maybe the ability was taken away from us when we weren’t looking. Like a stolen superpower. Like a mermaid’s voice. - Track 3
The emails hope they find me well, but I’m too unwell to respond. / My mother hasn’t heard from me in a week / in her voicemails she reminds me to eat. - Track 2
Every day is the same, isn’t it? The wrens and robins. The dystopian catastrophes streaming live from our screens. Some refuse to accept what this means: if the world is on fire, then so are we. - Track 2