This Pain
By RP
“This Pain”
It’s hard to bear.
So sometimes I wish,
Nobody would care.
Then I could be free,
To give into my deep felt despair.
But, power grows with numbers.
Power from love continues,
To pull me away From sleepy,
Depressive slumbers.
Strengthening my back
To fight for strength to evolve
Around n around Mother Earth,
How this life has found inner resolve
From ignorance’s self fulfilling perceptions
Evolving from my deepest conscious
Self reflections.
Creations of why second guessing
Questions.
Every moving with This Pain
Attempting to locate
Each twisting turn’s
Blessing!
87 Comments
Leave a Comment
The poets featured here are currently incarcerated, and many of them are in federal prisons far from home. Your feedback is a valuable source of motivation and connection to the outside community. Please keep your comments encouraging; we recommend focusing on how the poem makes you think, feel, or reflect. Post your comments, feedback, and encouragement in the space below the poem. Messages will be passed on directly to the author. Comments may not appear immediately on the site, as our team processes them to mail to the poets.
Hi RP,
This poem really captures the depth of pain and the kind of inner strength that can emerge from it. I feel that it does a wonderful job in expressing the conflict between pain, resilience, and support. Your line of “Power from love continues, To pull me away From sleepy, depressive slumbers” is powerful and really conveys to me the healing force of love and becoming stronger by recovering from pain. I also appreciate the self-reflection aspect of this poem, and it feels very personal and relatable. I feel that this piece has a lot of potential to resonate with others, so keep writing and exploring these ideas! Great job!
You do a really nice job of describing the pull to give in to the darkness and the struggle to stay in the light. I’m not sure many people could put that into words at all, let alone a poem! I also really like the movement in your poem, like in the last four lines; I felt the “twist” especially. I hope you keep putting your feelings into words–and I hope that by doing so you feel the lightness you chase in this poem.
It is interesting to think about how often love and pain go together. I once heard how pain is the cost of love and that has really stuck with me since. Questions are the roots of all that is around us. If no one ever had any questions then nothing would have been invented or looked at in depth. Blessing!
Hi RP!
Thank you for sharing this poem. It’s powerful and speaks of people who know what it feels like to hurt but keep moving forward, finding strength to keep going through love and connection. I really like the Earth symbolism you used. Keep up the good work!
Structurally, the poem’s free verse form mirrors the ebb and flow of the speaker’s inner life. The lack of a strict meter or rhyme scheme allows the emotions to breathe freely, much like the natural world that is later invoked with “Mother Earth.” This connection to nature isn’t merely decorative; it serves as a metaphor for growth and renewal. The imagery of nature suggests that just as the earth undergoes cycles of decay and rebirth, so too can the speaker find inner resolve and evolve beyond their current state of despair.
This is a beautiful and moving poem. I am in nursing school and learning about psychological disorders and the focus on depression really spoke to me. The phrase “depressive slumbers” moved me as this is a common struggle with so many struggling with mild to severe depression. To the author, you’ve done a beautiful job of relating to the audience through your personal struggle. Thank you.
On the other hand, this poem is inspiring to all who read it. There’s a sense of growth as the authors fight through their struggles, and the idea of using pain as a way to reflect and learn more about themselves. In the end, the poem reminds us that even though life can be hard, there can still be blessings and lessons to find in those tough times.
This is truly a beautiful piece. The rhyme scheme is engaging, and the content itself is great. I resonate with the concept of wanting to be alone in some situations, whilst having so many people pulling you right back out. The repetition of “This Pain” represents the impact it has on the poetry, showing that in the dark, there really is some sort of light, no matter if you expect it or want it. This is a great piece, and I encourage you to write more!
I’m praying for you as you are feeling this pain. I hope that the light of God lifts your spirits and you find your true self
This poem really resonates. It captures the heaviness of pain and the struggle to keep going, but also the strength found in love and support. The way it talks about growth, questioning, and finding blessings in tough times is both honest and uplifting. It’s raw, yet hopeful, and really speaks to the power of pushing through life’s challenges.
This poem beautifully expresses the struggle with pain and the inner conflict between giving in and finding strength through love and self-reflection. It highlights the journey of growth and resilience, searching for meaning and blessings even while suffering.
Your words reveal a deep strength that refuses to be silenced, even in the midst of struggle. Keep writing and reaching—each verse is a step toward healing, and a light for others walking through the dark.
I like how this shows the growth that comes from pain using a metaphor of nature and the Earth
A raw and powerful piece—honest in its pain but also deeply resilient. The journey from despair to strength is beautifully captured.
This poem is incredibly moving. Your words carry so much emotional weight and authenticity. You’ve captured what pain is and how it isolates, tempts, and can also become a teacher. The vulnerability in lines like “Then I could be free, / To give into my deep felt despair” is courageous, and it draws the reader in with empathy and understanding. What’s especially powerful is the shift from struggle to strength with the lines “power grows with numbers” and “love continues to pull me away.” They bring hope without dismissing the heaviness. The flow of your thoughts feels like a journey. The way you connect personal pain to your evolution is powerful. You’ve shown that even in moments of doubt and second-guessing, there’s growth, and even blessings, to be found. You’re turning pain into poetry, which is helpful and encouraging to others.
This poem pulses with raw honesty and transformation, turning pain into a path of awakening, resilience, and deeper self-understanding.
Hey RP! I really enjoyed your poem, it beautifully shows how pain and growth can happen at the same time. I liked how you shared your struggle but also your strength to keep going. The way you use rhyme and flow makes your feelings really stand out. It’s inspiring how you turn pain into a journey of self-reflection and hope. I think you did a great job writing this and I really enjoyed reading it!
This poem captures the quiet, constant struggle of carrying pain so beautifully. I really felt the tension between wanting to let go and give in, and the power of love and connection pulling you back toward growth. The imagery of “depressive slumbers” and the evolution through “self reflections” is so powerful—it shows not just survival, but transformation. That last line—“Each twisting turn’s blessing”—is such a hopeful reminder that even in pain, there’s something to be found. Thank you for sharing something so vulnerable and empowering.
Don’t give up. You can only go on to bigger and better things from here. Despair is only a lesson, and this will pass!
Wow! This poem was so amazing! It was powerful and heartfelt. This poem shows a perception of raw pain and the struggles that come from our lives. You showed that even though you go through darkness and depression there is still light at the end of the tunnel and hope in days to come. You are so talented and I hope to read more of your work!
This poem talks about how much pain can hurt. Sometimes, when it hurts a lot, you just want everyone to leave you alone so you can feel sad. But then, the poem says that when people care about you, it gives you strength. Love helps pull you out of feeling really down and gives you the power to keep going. The poem also talks about learning from the pain. It’s like the hard times can actually make you stronger and help you understand things better. Even though the pain is still there, the person in the poem is trying to find the good things that can come out of it. It’s like even when things are tough, there can still be a little bit of hope or a lesson to learn.
Hello! This is such a beautiful poem and I feel like you have a gift for writing. Do not stop writing! Keep your head held high, and keep going, I believe in you. I like how you wrote power grows with numbers. I always say there is power in numbers and it is true it takes a village to keep someone going. We could not survive this world alone. So, try to fInd strength in your writing and the fact that so many people are reading it. This poem truly is so good!
Hello! This is such a beautiful poem and I feel like you have a gift for writing. Do not stop writing! Keep your head held high, and keep going, I believe in you. I like how you wrote power grows with numbers. I always say there is power in numbers and it is true it takes a village to keep someone going. We could not survive this world alone. So, try to fInd strength in your writing and the fact that so many people are reading it. This poem truly is so good!
I like the thoughts you express . . . and I wonder if you might try to give them more strength by choosing a pattern. Perhaps by counting the syllables in each line and forming counting patterns. For example, your first line has 4 syllables and your second line has five syllables . . . might you like to form a group of lines with increasing counts from 4 up to 10 . . . and then perhaps go back down. Or?? Perhaps a completely different pattern. In my experience, choice of a pattern helps me to discover new thoughts and say things in new ways, pleasant to the ears . . .
Thank you for sharing such powerful words. Your strength and honesty shine through every line. Keep writing– you have a voice that deserves to be heard.
This poem is very touching, I can see where people would resonate with it including me it is a very well thought out piece.
This poem is a raw and honest expression of enduring pain while still holding on to hope and growth. It beautifully illustrates how love and self-reflection can be sources of strength, guiding us through even the darkest moments. Your words remind us that pain doesn’t define us—it can transform us, helping us find purpose and blessings in the struggle.
There’s so much heart in this. The flow between despair and hope mirrors real emotional cycles, and the imagery of “power grows with numbers” reminds us how important community is in healing.
This is really beautiful!
Hi RP,
This poem is deeply moving. I appreciate the rhyme scheme as it gives the poem a good tempo. It is also beautifully worded, and I like that it ends with trying to locate blessings, even if it is hard sometimes.
Great poem 🙂
The part “Power grows with numbers / Power from love continues” reminded me that even when we feel broken, connection with others can help pull us through. The poem has strength and resilience in every line. It also reminded me of the poetry we read in class, where pain isn’t hidden, but turned into something beautiful and brave.
Your poem This Pain carries a powerful message from the way you move from despair to self-awareness showcases the journey that many people face especially those with mental health Identity or finding a sense of purpose the tension between wanting to a draw and being pulled back by a loved one or community gives voice to comment but often experience. It reminds me that we’re not alone in our pain and that there are many people who go through this as well; we have to look for them and find them. My favorite line is evolving for my deepest conscious self-reflections. I feel like it encourages us to see our own struggle not just as a burden but as part of something bigger and meaningful. And that being human isn’t always about removing pain but about learning how to move with it and finding some purpose within the struggle. Amazing poem!
Your poem This Pain carries a powerful message from the way you move from despair to self-awareness showcases the journey that many people face especially those with mental health Identity or finding a sense of purpose the tension between wanting to a draw and being pulled back by a loved one or community gives voice to comment but often experience. It reminds me that we’re not alone in our pain and that there are many people who go through this as well; we have to look for them and find them. My favorite line is evolving for my deepest conscious self-reflections. I feel like it encourages us to see our own struggle not just as a burden but as part of something bigger and meaningful. And that being human isn’t always about removing pain but about learning how to move with it and finding some purpose within the struggle. Amazing poem!
This is a beautiful poem. Thank you for sharing it. Strength is a hard tool to gain but I hope you continue to find strength in the little things to pull you out of moments of pain.
This poem has incredible word choice and descriptive details. There is strong themes of despair, hope, love and one’s identity. However, I think there are some small issues with punctuation and flow, some words are placed abruptly. However, overall, I really enjoyed this piece.
This is such a moving poem—absolutely beautiful. I really connected with the idea that hope can grow bigger and bigger, giving you further strength to carry on. Really appreciate the rhyme structure and intentional capitalization you chose, granting particular importance to the biggest emotions and feelings of hope in the poem.
Hi! I really liked your poem. It made me think and reflect a lot on my personal struggles, thoughts, feelings, and relationships. The first part of the poem was especially moving to me – as you highlight the connection between a problem and the support of others – as well as how some of these systems or relationships force people to face their fears which is so challenging. I don’t think this is discussed enough as to how difficult it can be to face a problem when forced to by the people around us, and how sometimes a void would be nice to avoid and feel comfort away from the issue at hand. I’m not sure if that was what you were thinking when writing it – but overall I felt your work was very moving and this is what I took away. So thank you!!
RP this poem is powerful. Pain is such a raw emotion and you describe it well. Hope also radiates through in how you mention “power from love” helps with the depression and a will to change. The last line is probably my favorite. It’s like we have to move through the pain to get to the blessings. This is fantastic, please keep up the writing!
I really enjoyed reading this poem. I believe it captures the complexity of pain and the resilience that can emerge from it. The speaker moves from isolation and despair to a sense of collective strength and self-reflection, creating a powerful emotional arc. The language flows with a lyrical rhythm, and lines like “power from love continues, / To pull me away” offer a hopeful contrast to the poem’s heavier emotions, highlighting the healing power of connection and introspection.
Thank you for writing this poem and sharing it. After reading it, I have been sitting and just repeating the words that most deeply touched me:
Attempting to locate
Each twisting turn’s
Blessing!
I’m carrying this thought with me today.
Peace and good wishes to you!
This poem captures the struggle of living with pain but also the strength that can come from it. It shows how love and self-reflection can turn despair into growth and resilience. The ending reminds us that even in suffering, there can be lessons and hidden blessings.
This poem is powerful and honest, showing how pain can feel overwhelming but also lead to strength. I like how it shifts from despair to hope, reminding us of the power of love and connection. The reflection on growth through struggle makes it inspiring and uplifting.
Hello! I loved reading your poem it showcases great and transparent emotion. Mental health is something that is still taboo and worth talking about – great work!
This poem is an honest look at the weight pain can put on someone. The poem also shows how love and connection can pull someone through despair. The author shows the struggle of self-reflection and growth. The author also shows how empowering it is to find strength and meaning even in the hardest moments.
This is a raw and honest poem, thank you for sharing it. I love how it shows the pull between deep pain and the steady healing power of love. The ending feels like a quiet victory, a hopeful step toward strength.
Beautifully written—raw but hopeful. I love how it transforms pain into strength and reflection into growth.
This poem is powerful because it turns the weight of pain into a journey of strength, love, and self-reflection. We get the message that even in despair, connection and inner growth can transform suffering into resilience and meaning.
This is raw and uplifting at the same time—the way you turn pain into a force for reflection and growth is powerful. I love how the rhythm circles back on itself, mirroring the struggle and the eventual strength that emerges.
I really felt the emotion in this piece. The way you describe pain as something heavy but also as a source of growth is very powerful. I liked how you showed the shift from despair to strength, especially with the lines about power from love pulling you away from depressive slumbers. The imagery of evolving through self-reflection and finding blessings in each twist and turn gives the poem a hopeful and resilient tone. It’s a moving reminder that even pain can lead to growth and deeper understanding.
This poem holds such a tender balance—acknowledging the weight of despair while showing how love and connection can pull someone back toward strength. I like how the imagery moves from heaviness (“sleepy, depressive slumbers”) to growth and evolution, almost like turning pain into a teacher. It feels honest but still hopeful, carrying both vulnerability and resilience.
I admire how you transform pain into a journey of strength and reflection!
This poem really connected with me — the way you describe pain as both heavy and transformative felt so real. I liked how you showed the pull between despair and strength, and how love and connection can help carry us through. The lines about finding blessings in the “twisting turns” stood out to me, because it reminds me that even in hard times there can be growth. It’s such an honest and hopeful piece.
This poem powerfully captures the struggle of living with pain, while also honoring the journey toward strength and self-reflection. The honest emotions and hope woven throughout remind us that, even in hardship, there is the possibility for growth and discovering blessings.
That line where you mention the power from love resonates deeply. Despite the internal pain one may face, the strength and power of love can keep someone pushing. Your words flow and ebb beautifully and I can sense your emotions through your words. Thank you for sharing your work.
I really liked this poem because it’s emotional and powerful. You did a great job expressing what pain feels like—especially in the beginning when you say, “It’s hard to bear. So sometimes I wish, nobody would care.” That line really hit me because it’s honest and shows how heavy pain can be on someone. I also liked how the poem shifts from sadness to strength. The ending is especially meaningful and shows growth and hope, even in hard times. It makes the reader feel like there’s light at the end of the struggle. Overall, this poem is deep, reflective, and uplifting.
This poem really captures what it feels like to struggle but still find strength through it. I like how it moves from pain and despair to growth and reflection; it feels raw but hopeful at the same time. The idea of finding blessings within pain really sticks with you.
Wow, this poem is deep and raw, and it really captures the struggle of dealing with pain while also searching for growth and meaning. I love how it starts with vulnerability “It’s hard to bear / So sometimes I wish, Nobody would care” but then shifts toward hope and strength through connection and self-reflection. The poem feels like a journey from struggle to resilience, and it’s incredibly empowering to see someone embrace their pain while still pushing toward growth.
This poem is raw and deeply reflective. I can feel the struggle between wanting to give up and choosing to keep fighting. The writer turns pain into a kind of teacher, something that pushes them toward growth and self-awareness. I especially like how the poem moves from darkness to light, showing that even in suffering, there’s purpose and strength. It’s emotional, honest, and shows real resilience.
Love the poem RP. The display of your emotions was extremely conscise and powerful. Your writing has a sense of connection within it that allows the reader to truly immerse themselves in your emotions through your story-telling. Your strength does not go unnoticed within this poem and I hope the love you are currently surrounded by continues to give you confidence and the ability to overcome your challenges.
This poem is raw and searching, blending pain with resilience and self-awareness. The rhythm mirrors the emotional turbulence—circling between despair and awakening. Its movement from darkness toward understanding feels spiritual, showing how struggle can lead to growth. “This Pain” becomes not just suffering, but transformation.
I really connect with this poem. It captures the weight of pain so honestly, but I love how it moves from despair to strength. The way you shows that love, reflection, and self-awareness can help transform suffering into growth is inspiring. It’s a reminder that even in our hardest moments, there can be meaning and blessings if we take the time to look for them.
Wow, I started to cry because of how sad/happy this was! The start is so beyond real and raw. I am so happy that you’re struggling less now! I’ll be praying for you!
This is honest and hopeful at the same time. You can feel the struggle but also the growth that comes from it. The ending ties it together really nicely.
This is really relatable. I like how you show pain as something you’re learning from — not just drowning in. The part about power growing from love and community is real… that’s usually what pulls us out of those heavy spirals. Feels honest but still hopeful.
Wow… this hit me. I love how honest you are about pain but also about growth. The way you show struggling with despair and then finding strength through love and reflection is so powerful. I especially love the line about “attempting to locate each twisting turn’s blessing”, it’s such a real way to show that even in pain, there’s meaning and growth. Your words feel raw, deep, and inspiring. Keep writing; your honesty is a gift!
A very touching poem, RP. Very well written. I understand how painful it may be. Have faith that things will get better because they will, trust me.
Hi RP! Your poem does a great job of showing how pain can feel heavy, but also how love and support can pull someone back toward hope. You do well describing that you grow stronger through reflection and struggle. It reminds us that even in hard moments, there can be lessons and hidden blessings. This is such a great poem!
Your poem captures the struggle of living with pain in a very honest and relatable way. I like how you show the tension between wanting to give in to despair and being pulled back up by love, connection, and community. The imagery of pain as something that twists and turns makes the experience feel real, and the idea that strength grows through reflection and evolution adds a hopeful layer to the piece. The poem acknowledges darkness without staying in it, and the ending lines, about searching for the “blessing” in each turn, give it a sense of resilience. It feels heartfelt, vulnerable, and ultimately focused on growth.
Your poem is raw and honest, and the way you describe finding strength through connection and self-reflection is really powerful. Even in the pain, your writing shows so much resilience and hope!!
Your poem feels incredibly honest and heartfelt. The way you describe pain alongside the love and inner strength that keep you moving forward is powerful and relatable. Your words remind me that even in the darkest moments, growth and clarity can still break through. Truly moving.
This poem captures the raw weight of struggle while also showing the subtle power of love and hope in lifting us. I really appreciate how the imagery of evolving and moving through pain conveys both vulnerability and resilience.
This poem turns pain into a teacher, showing how struggle and self-reflection slowly shape resilience. Its movement from despair to clarity feels like a spiral—returning to hurt, but each time rising with a little more strength.
You capture the tension between wanting to give in to pain and being pulled back by love and connection. . Your use of imagery brings the reader into the experience of fighting through heaviness toward clarity. It’s honest, and reflective, showing how pain can transform into growth when we listen closely to ourselves. very beautifully written.
This poem captures that tension between wanting to give up and realizing you’re held up by the love and connection around you. I like how the speaker moves from despair to this kind of grounded self-reflection, almost finding meaning in the struggle itself. It feels raw but also quietly hopeful.
This poem beautifully captures the experience of pain and the inner conflict between giving in and finding strength through love and self-reflection. Your piece, This Pain, moves powerfully from despair to self-awareness, reflecting a journey that so many people face—especially those struggling with identity, mental health, or a search for purpose. The tension between wanting to withdraw and being pulled back by a loved one or community gives a voice to a deeply common yet often unspoken experience.
It’s a reminder that we’re not alone in our suffering and that others are walking similar paths—we just have to look for them. My favorite line, “evolving for my deepest conscious self-reflections,” encourages us to see our struggles not only as burdens but as meaningful parts of growth. This poem reflects the truth that being human isn’t about eliminating pain, but learning to move with it and uncover purpose within it. Truly powerful work.
This poem captures the heaviness of despair but transforms it into a message of growth, love, and spiritual resilience. The imagery of evolving, reflecting, and searching for “blessing” gives the piece a strong sense of forward movement. It balances vulnerability with empowerment, leaving the reader with hope.
This poem is so deep and powerful. Pain is such a raw emotion that is hard to put into words but you did very well. I liked the rhyming and the immense expression you used throughout your poem. keep writing wonderful pieces.
Hi there! You wrote such a beautiful poem. I loved the word choice – it really spoke to me as you called on such a vivid description to explain your struggles. Keep writing!
As many other have said at this point, your words truly do have depth behind them. To be able to articulate the deep rooted despair you feel to the self awareness about it, that shows some real self reflection. Even trying to find blessings despite the pain you endure is truly admirable!
I really like the surprising ending. It made me reflect that love can be so monumental in lessening pain.
Hello,
I’d like the way that you phrase this poem. It really makes an impact for what you’re trying to show. You also did a great job with the theme in this poem as well. I feel like you were able to describe What you wanted to perfectly. You did a really great job.
The writing here is so well done, I’m not sure if I could give any good constructive criticism but what you wrote was really beautiful. Even after portraying such a deep sadness you still managed to remain hopeful, and that shows your resilience I think. Great job and I look forward to seeing what you write next!
Your poem captures how heavy pain can feel, but also how love and connection can pull someone back toward strength. I really like how you show growth through reflection and how you look for the blessing in every struggle. Your honesty and resilience come through in every line.
Hi RP, I really felt your emotions in this poem. The way you talk about pain but also finding strength stood out to me. I liked the line about love pulling you out of dark moments, it shows hope even when things feel heavy. It made me think about how pain can still lead to growth. Thank you for sharing something so real.
This poem captures the complexity of living with pain in a really honest and layered way. The opening lines stood out to me because they express a desire to disappear from others’ care, which feels deeply connected to moments of emotional overwhelm. At the same time, I found it powerful how the poem shifts toward the idea that “power grows with numbers” and that love can pull someone out of those darker spaces. That tension between wanting isolation and needing connection feels very real. I also appreciated the way you describe growth through “self reflections” and “twisting turn’s blessing,” suggesting that even pain can lead to understanding and transformation. This poem made me reflect on how healing is not linear, but a continuous process shaped by both struggle and support. Thank you for sharing something so vulnerable and meaningful.
Hi RP. Thank you for sharing this poem. The way you write about pain, love, and growth is moving and shows real courage and wisdom. Your strength is shown in every line. Please keep writing and sharing your creative voice with the world.
The imagery of love pulling the speaker away from ‘sleepy, depressive slumbers’ stood out to me because it shows how support from others can help someone push through difficult moments, which might seem easier to give into.
HI RP! Great job on this poem. I love how you capture the contrasting ideas of pain. That pain can make us isolate, but also be the fuel for empowerment. I also love the form of this poem, how you rhyme, giving this rhythm to the poem, but also the first and last lines going from “This Pain” to ” Blessing!” exploring how maneuvering through the pain will give us an eventual blessing. Great work!