Here at Emmott Snell, we've observed first-hand what a challenge it can be to express oneself and carry the weight of an emotional burden. While we learn to develop a professional resilience, it can be frustrating to see a client so close to legal justice, yet so far from battling their emotional demons.
Survivors of abuse develop strategies and tools to deal with their past, their psychological difficulties and /or psychiatric illness. Poetry is one such tool, this being an incredibly fluid and malleable form of self-expression.
It can nurture individuals back to a healthier mental state, and it can be utilised by absolutely anyone, anywhere, at any time. Poetry is often regarded as 'therapy for the soul'.
A valued client of ours has written two poignant poems that we would like to share
My Lifeboat Friends
My Lifeboat friends are there for me
They help me float and help me see
As I struggle against the currents of blame
My true self fighting the tides of pain
The rain of guilt pours down upon me
Stopping me healing making me flee
The storm of abuse rages all around
My shouts for help make not a sound
The demonic swells pull me under
As my life is torn asunder
While the sun’s hidden out of sight
Darkness ruling with all its might
Yet in the distance what can I see
My Lifeboat friends coming for me
As they too asail the storm
To pull me free and make me warm
They are true friends & family
Fight my fight & help me see
For me they will not give in
For they know tis not my sin
For in this storm of my abuse
Where I am sad & low & of no use
There are people on which I can depend
And they are my Lifeboat friends
My Demons & I
My demons & I live side by side
Hard as I try we still collide
I cannot run and cannot hide
Still they’re there side by side.
My demons called shame, guilt and blame
Shout constantly their evil names
The damage done struck at me
My demons laughing constantly
What power, dominion do you have over me
That I can’t be free, can't feel, can’t see
For my demons are you not
His demons have I forcibly got
So demons there is something that you should know
That back to hell you must go
No longer forced to look upon your face
As to hell you are sent without a trace
For inside, unknown to all
There are angels imprisoned behind a wall
From their prison no longer kept
No gnashing & wailing as they wept
My demons no longer part of me
From their grip I will be free
No longer trapped in their snare
No longer will they my mind share
So after drowning me in pain
Forcing evil upon me with complete disdain
From the depths of despair I cry
To be free from my demons and i
