EditorialMental Health

Stitches and Thorns

I once wrote that I was held together by duct tape… staples… and thorns of roses
I also said that I was falling apart but no one noticed,
Now it seems I must correct myself.
Or rather acknowledge the changes that accompanied at the time.

It is obvious now that I am falling apart
Something that everyone has noticed
Or soon will.
There is no denying that I can barely hold myself together
The stitches that are meant to keep me in one piece are visible 
Which brings me to my next point.

The staples that once held me together 
were replaced with medical-grade stitches.
Something stronger was required to keep me together,
The duct tape was replaced with rope,
A material that can withstand daily wear and tear.
Surprisingly, the thorns remained.

But not to keep the smaller pieces of me attached
Instead, they serve as protection
To keep people from getting too close. 
The only thing that hasn’t changed is the fact 
that I am falling apart
The saddest part?
The only thing that I really wished would change
Remains the same–
The fact that I am falling apart.

Liat Silver

Liat Silver is a 24-year-old writer who finds strength in sharing her struggles through her writing. Liat's journey into writing began as a deeply personal endeavor, a way to navigate and express her experiences with mental health. Her poetry, marked by its raw honesty and emotional resonance, offers readers an intimate glimpse into her struggles with anxiety and depression. Through her writing, Liat aims to break down the barriers surrounding mental health, fostering understanding and empathy in her readers.

Thank you to Apurva Makashir and Tanvi Sethi for their inspired edits on the piece.

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