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
