Poetry

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD,
hinders victims from functioning ‘normally’.
This may occur when a traumatic event takes place,
a terrifying experience which the memory can’t erase.

The event may be war, abuse, floods, torture or fire;
the victim experiencing extreme helplessness and horror.
PTSD occurs more often when harm is done deliberately,
in comparison to disasters which occur naturally.

Symptoms include reliving the traumatic event - hallucination,
being overly alert, sleeplessness, increased agitation,
avoiding reminders of the event to avoid painful memories,
feeling detached and losing interest in day to day activities.

Around 12% of Australians experience PTSD in their life.
Serious accidents being the main reason to cause this strife.
This anxiety disorder is quite common and dangerous,
there are people who don’t seek help and remain anonymous.

If you think you are feeling distressed by a traumatic event,
then talking to a professional or doctor may help prevent -
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from getting worse;
don’t struggle by yourself but open up and converse.

Many people recover with the help of friends and family,
they get back to normal and live the rest of their life happily.
Although we cannot go back in time and change history,
it’s your choice to seek help and reveal all of life’s mysteries.

Homelessness
He had a degree in chemical engineering.
An attractive job which provided whatever he was wanting.
A loving family giving lots of love and support.
But splosh… in one night everything he lost.

A couple of wrong turns, made them homeless;
Jobless, Penniless, loveless and hopeless.
Not knowing when their next meal is going to arrive.
For mere basic needs they do strive.

He doesn’t know where they’ll spend their night,
or if everything would ever be alright.
They live in hopelessness and insecurity;
any other problems just an obscurity.

A few wrong decisions in a person’s life,
is now costing his family this strife.
What can be done to help such people,
such that everyone could lead life equal?

Surely there is something that can be done;
like donating time and money with compassion.
Or becoming a volunteer in one of the organisations
that strives hard to eradicate such complications.

Depression
Broken families, loss of loved ones;
drug addiction, racial prejudice, diseases and guns.
These can all be the causes of depression,
affecting countless people’s life progression.

Depression is not a joke, it is a grim issue;
demanding serious help, not just a tissue.
Help’s offered by Lifeline, beyondblue or other websites.
But also a friend/family can help their sleepless nights.

Someone to always stay by their side;
stay and assure everything is alright.
Someone to stand up for them;
someone to be a real friend for them.

Sometimes children brought up in a broken family,
could grow up in despair and melancholy.
A true friend is the next best thing to a family,
that could at times make them happy.

Subtle racism and bullying could also be a possible reason;
why people get down on the road to depression.
They need people, who could take their side,
at least someone who genuinely tried.

Terminal diseases such as cancer breaks some down,
but being supportive could turn their minimal life around.
It is scientifically proven that optimism can help cure,
with therapy their disease could become no more.

Let’s all step up and together take a stand;
until depression in people’s lives are banned.
It is always better to give than to take.
And it’s worth the fix than a break.

Is there a need, a need for speed?

The real distance is 10 minutes.
But got to be there in 5 minutes.
Speeding is the only way,
But it will only lead you astray.

“Where astray?” one may question.
Oh! They become God’s burden.
Straight up they ascend, or may be descend!
Leaving back family and friends.

As precarious as it is, it’s also selfish.
Affecting other people’s lives and wish.
At times the offender lives, but the victim crashed into;
well, he/she is pretty much screwed.

The surviving offender’s guilt is a burden permanently carried,
brewing the question “Did you really have to speed?”
The answer is a modest “No, you don’t!”
As speeding is accident prone.

It is better to be late than never.
The option which is simply clever,
An alternative is to start early in peace,
Reaching without a scurry in one complete living piece!