Featured Poet - Simon Drake

MISUNDERSTOOD


So easy to misread a situation 

How many times have you misheard the words 

to a song 

Singing the wrong lyrics for years and years 

Before realising that you’d got them wrong 

That’s the thing with communication 

Making sure you’re on the same page 

It’s frustrating when you’re misunderstood 

Invoking feelings of anger and rage 


Do not be afraid to say, Sorry 

I want to make sure I’ve got this right 

Is that what you said and meant when you spoke 

Before insinuations have the chance to take flight 

Feuds can last an eternity 

If only all parties showed understanding 

You can end up not talking for decades 

Because of a misunderstanding 


Be patient make sure there is clarity 

When important things you have to say 

Certain that context and facts have been understood 

And that’s what’s been taken away 

It’s of the upmost importance 

The message is understood between you and me 

A crucial fact about a peaceful life 

Communication and clarity are absolute key


BULLIED


I am constantly bullied, it's never ending 

Every minute of every hour of everyday 

I can’t go on, I'm contemplating suicide 

I feel like there’s no other way 


My anxiety’s a ticking timebomb 

I can’t cope, I'm about to explode 

I have got no one and nowhere to turn to 

I can’t take it, I need to unload 


I am the butt of the “IT crowds” jokes 

They laugh as I breakdown and cry 

Their comments, stab me like bee stings 

It is relentless, I'm broken inside 


WhatsApp, I avoid like the plague 

On Facebook I am ridiculed too 

On Instagram I'm constantly hounded 

I'm lost, I don’t know what to do 


I can't face much more of this torture 

I don't have a future, everything’s bleak 

My parents know something’s wrong 

I’ve lost my voice but I'm desperate to speak 


I can’t go on, I’ve had enough 

I don't know how much longer I can last 

I need help, can anybody hear me 

I need help but I'm too scared to ask. 

MONEY


It is only money after all 

Causing so much trouble and strife 

When the penny drops, you realise it’s worth

Only then will you find value in life 


Love, family, relationships and kindness 

Where you will find all of your wealth 

Money cannot buy happiness

It doesn’t even guarantee good health


Bank accounts and postcodes 

Expensive cars all parked on the drive 

Millionaires can also be miserable 

Money allows jealousy to thrive 


You can never have enough money 

You see the Jones’ are keeping score 

If wealth is your God, you’ve missed the point 

The value of life is worth so much more 


Ending up the richest in the graveyard 

What a wasted life you’ve had 

Prioritising money over love and happiness 

Those who stand to inherit won’t be sad 


The gift of life is a blessing 

Love and Happiness make you rich as can be

Don’t waste your life on materialistic things 

Trust your feelings that is the key 


TRIGGERS


Thank you for picking me up 

Not so fast, don’t put me down 

You’ve got your foot in my poetic door 

Why not have a good look around 


I am sure here within these pages 

There is something that might trigger you 

Have a flick through my book 

Have a look at the pictures 

Why not read a poem or two 


I aim to inspire, I can’t promise to please 

This books not an itch you can scratch 

The poems I have written 

Delve back through your memories 

You may find the perfect match 


Don’t get distracted, turn off your devices

Take some time to have a look through 

If you are honest, I have no doubt in my mind

You will find a poem written just for you. 


ABOUT SIMON

Drowning in loss and depression, struggling to function and running on empty. That is where I found myself in December 2016. I was suffering and trapped in a void. Experiencing several life changing losses, over an extremely short period of time, left me feeling broken. I was in a very dark and lonely place and struggling to process my grief. Personal therapy over the proceeding twelve months helped to start shedding a little light back into my world. Beam by beam, I began to recover. During the therapeutic process my counsellor planted an idea: “Have you ever thought about becoming a counsellor, you have the necessary tools, I think that you would be very good!”. I was intrigued. Professionally I was going nowhere, working for a pound note with no real purpose, fulfilment, or job satisfaction. I signed up for an introduction to counselling course, and that was the first step that brought me to where I am now. Course by course, year by year, I worked tirelessly to achieve my goal of becoming a qualified therapist. Here I am, in July 2023, having completed my Diploma in Gestalt Therapy. It has been an amazing, challenging, rewarding, and life changing experience. During the process of completing my qualification, I started to write poetry which in turn has opened many other creative doors. In the last six months, I have had poetry published in five anthologies, been a guest on ‘The Lewistry podcast’ on Spotify, played a hitman in an indie movie ‘Cochon and The Small Reset,’ and regularly perform my work at Spoken Word Poetry events in London. I am extremely grateful, for the many opportunities, which I have been afforded. I now look to the future with hope and excitement for what lies ahead. It’s amazing what a little time and healing can do!

E: 19.simondrake.74@gmail.com

FB: @simon.drake.568

Instagram: @simondrake8120

YouTube: @simondrake7092