darrenhardman

My writing

Man I Used To Be

You say things to me like, “You’re mean now.” “You don’t listen to me anymore.” and “You’re not the same.”

You fail to realize that the things I have seen and done were not a video game.

You ask, “What’s wrong?” “Where’s your head?” and “Why don’t you talk to me?”

Did you stop to think that maybe I don’t want you to know what I have done or what eats the inside of me?

Please understand if I don’t tell you the things that draw my attention away.

It’s because the unwelcome thoughts are rising and I am pushing them back to where they need to stay.

If you are already frustrated and disappointed in me, how can I tell you these things and expect you to still love me.

I’m sorry things are hard for me to tell you so you can see.

I am sorry I’m not the loving man I used to be.

May 14, 2011 - Posted by | Feelings from war and beyond | , , , , , , , , , ,

10 Comments »

  1. Excellent, D. Excellent. We all have things we don’t share … for various reasons. But often because we don’t/can’t share … well, it creates a chasm that is hard to cross. Keep writing, my friend. Your gift is amazing.

    Carol Smith's avatar Comment by Carol Smith | May 14, 2011 | Reply

    • Carol, Thank you so much for your continued comments and support. I look forward to seeing them whenever I post something new.

      Darren Hardman's avatar Comment by darrenhardman | May 28, 2011 | Reply

  2. I don’t know the “man you used to be”, but I sure know the man you are today. And, I love that man, my friend!

    Pam's avatar Comment by Pam | May 14, 2011 | Reply

    • Pam, Thank you so much for your comment! It made me tear up and still does everytime I read it.

      Darren Hardman's avatar Comment by darrenhardman | May 28, 2011 | Reply

  3. The hard part is the other side of things. If you don’t tell them, they can’t understand. If they can’t understand, they can’t connect with you. They can’t help you. I know you want to shut it away and not deal with it. I know you don’t want to be judged, but it’s helpful to the people who love you to know. If they truly love you, they will understand. They will support you. They will love you no matter what. If they can’t see past that, then maybe they aren’t the people you need in your life right now. Trust me, I know from experience, though a different trigger, but it’s still the same, I know what it’s like to keep those secrets, but it only pushes people away. It takes time for that comfort to grow, to be ready to talk, but talking will help the people who love you so they can help you, be there for you, love you all that much more.

    Visionary's avatar Comment by Visionary | May 14, 2011 | Reply

    • Thank you for reading. It means a lot to me when people post their views. It lets me know how they see what I write.

      Darren Hardman's avatar Comment by darrenhardman | May 28, 2011 | Reply

  4. I never have been into poetry, but this is just brilliant and sad at the same time.

    Thanks for this amazing poem!
    Daniel

    38leinad's avatar Comment by 38leinad | May 14, 2011 | Reply

    • Thank you for reading. I have more to add in the near future.

      Darren Hardman's avatar Comment by darrenhardman | May 28, 2011 | Reply

  5. thank you for sharing this… there is nothing like writing to lighten the load

    Ellie's avatar Comment by ellielawson | May 15, 2011 | Reply

    • Thank you for reading and I agree with you. Writing helps lessen the load on my mind.

      Darren Hardman's avatar Comment by darrenhardman | May 28, 2011 | Reply


Leave a reply to ellielawson Cancel reply