Worn and Torn

By Matthew Chiles, 17, Wisconsin

He sits alone atop the hill at Port Clyde, 

wondering when will someone come?

Deep into rotting depression,

he sits atop the hill wanting someone to want him

wanting someone to be there for him

sitting alone at the top of the hill waiting at Port Clyde.

Letting all of his problems build and build, 

until it all comes out a mess.

All the things he has to go through.

All the things people throw at him.

All the things he has to deal with, alone.

He looks worn, torn, and tired;

Although he’s trying to put on a face.

He disguises his sadness, but it’s all so clear

Each box, each broken piece of trash;

Inside walls that withstand  the test of time.

Sad dust bunnies, depressing dirt, and dejected mold

sprout further, sending him into darkness.

Glass from the window shattered on the floor,

all the malicious neglect surrounding it.

Memories and portraits lie dead on the floor, unsalvageable

from the beginning to the end he kept on fighting,

he can’t help but think,

Alone forever.

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What inspired this work was my own feelings. I was struggling emotionally during the process of writing this piece, but I feel as if it helped make my writing stronger. I think that this poem represents how people with mental health issues such as anxiety and depression sometimes view the world. It is inspired by the painting “House at Port Clyde,” by Stow Wengenroth.

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