Tense in the darkness,
Shivers shooting down my spine.
Echoes screaming in my brain,
“Release me.”

The shouts overlapping,
Increasing in volume.
|Fingers fidgeting for anything,
To punch, to scream, to feel.
I need release.

I need to feel anything but empty.
I need to gain control.
I pick up the pen,
Heart rate rising
I hold the power,
The release I need.

An uneasy breath
I start writing.
Release…

I can’t stop,
I won’t stop.

The voices go quiet.
The guilt washed away
Across the paper,
Staining it with bittersweet words
Release…release

Inner turmoil gone.
There is no eraser to take it back,
No eraser to fix the addiction I have created.

Biography:

“My poetry and writing are a form of self-expression to me. It’s a way to cope with my struggles and create something genuinely relatable for others who are also going through hard times. As someone who struggles with mental health, I believe it is important to advocate and share my experiences in hopes that others feel less alone and also add my perspective to the ongoing conversation on mental health. For those who feel hopeless and alone in the world, I assure you that you are not alone, and I hope that my writing resonates with you. I aspire to continue writing while I work towards becoming a social worker to help the community. I enjoy being a voice on issues that are important to me, such as mental health, the LGBTQ+ community, and much more. I am always looking to challenge myself and contribute to more writing opportunities. If you would like to reach out to me, my email is kenzi.franks0122@gmail.com.”