Lifesfinewhine

The Life & Ramblings Of A Zillennial

Dead Youth- A Poem

On The Brink Of Collapse | Six Word Story

Trigger Warning: “Dead Youth” is one of the darker poems on this blog. It contains imagery that some may find disturbing. If you are a sensitive person, you may want to avoid this poem.  

Broken

Torn

Ripped apart

Slowly

Every inch of skin

Peeled off

Till only bones remain

WIth each cut

I lose a little more of myself

Until I am but a fragment

Of who I once was

No longer whole

Barely human

Haunted by the ghost

Of the person I was

And the ghost

Of the person I wanted to be

But never became

“Dead Youth” is a pretty cool title, huh? I wish I could say I came up with it myself but the truth is I used a title generator and it came up with something similar which inspired this title. So, I guess I can say I partially came up with the title.

What is this poem about? (asked no one except myself) Well, it’s about how time breaks us. How when we are young we are so hopeful that things will get better. But as we get older our optimism wavers. Eventually, reality hits us and we realise that somethings just suck and that will never change. It is what it is.

As I mentioned, this is one of my more darker poems. And has a lot more imagery that I usually use. We have all the cough syrup I’m on to thank for that. Let me know what you thought of this poem in the comments below. Or simply stop by and say hi.

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Posted by:

Pooja G

110 responses to “Dead Youth- A Poem”

  1. John Avatar
    John

    I didn’t read it…

    Reply
    1. Pooja G Avatar
      Pooja G

      That’s fair, it’s not for everyone 🤷🏻‍♀️

      Reply
  2. brianjamesrationalpoet Avatar
    brianjamesrationalpoet

    Many of us have been in that dark place. Never an easy place to be.

    Reply
    1. Pooja G Avatar
      Pooja G

      Yeah very true.

      Reply
  3. Jay B Hughes Avatar
    Jay B Hughes

    Beautiful. Even the tags are all like extra lines in the poem. I like reading about your context and meanings at the end, maybe it would be nice for more poems to come with a disclaimer about what kind of syrup the writer’s been drinking or not.

    Reply
    1. Pooja G Avatar
      Pooja G

      Thank you so much. Haha well I think that may take away some of the wonder lol.

      Reply
  4. Athousandbitsofpaper Avatar
    Athousandbitsofpaper

    Cough syrup hmm, note to self – get some. Loved the poem Pooja, it is dark but we are light and dark and ignoring the dark can be an unbalanced take of the world.

    Reply
    1. Pooja G Avatar
      Pooja G

      Haha would 10/10 recommend cough syrup for writers. Thank you and yes I agree. The dark comes along with the light. We can’t just be light and happy all the time.

      Reply
  5. Keren Avatar
    Keren

    I really feel this. It’s pure emotion. 💚

    Reply
    1. Pooja G Avatar
      Pooja G

      Thank you so much 💖

      Reply
  6. Ally L. Avatar
    Ally L.

    And some find comfort in the darkness, like I did.

    Reply
    1. Pooja G Avatar
      Pooja G

      Yes, some do.

      Reply
  7. Michele Lee Avatar
    Michele Lee

    I read your description, Pooja. This poem has multiple interpretations, as poems sometimes do. Some, much darker than your description. I thought of people who cut themselves, from the line, “With each cut.” Sadly, as a teacher I had students dealing with that. 😢

    Reply
    1. DEVANG UPADHYAYA Avatar
      DEVANG UPADHYAYA

      How as a teacher you help them?
      Because kids really need great support.

      Reply
      1. Michele Lee Avatar
        Michele Lee

        Be aware. Be observant. Involve the school counselor, and psychologist, if the school has one, and parent conferences, of course.

        Reply
        1. DEVANG UPADHYAYA Avatar
          DEVANG UPADHYAYA

          That’s great and helpful

          Reply
    2. AGAPE SHALOM JAPHET. B Avatar
      AGAPE SHALOM JAPHET. B

      That’s deep🥲, how were you able to deal with such situations?

      Reply
      1. Michele Lee Avatar
        Michele Lee

        Teachers and other school staff deal with many difficult situations. One day at a time, is the short answer. 🙏🏻

        Reply
    3. Pooja G Avatar
      Pooja G

      Thanks so much. That’s actually what I was talking about. I used to self-harm as a teenager. I’m sorry some of your students do that too but it’s good they have a teacher like you that cares.

      Reply
      1. Michele Lee Avatar
        Michele Lee

        You are welcome, Pooja. It is not easy to write about difficult (personal) topics. Sharing those stories takes courage and vulnerability. Doing so can help others and bring healing to the writer. I applaud you for your willingness to bring a challenging experience to your audience. 💗

        Reply
        1. Pooja G Avatar
          Pooja G

          Thank you so much 💖

          Reply
      2. Michele Lee Avatar
        Michele Lee

        Follow-up comment- I left the HS classroom in 2019. I now work with adults online. Fortunately, there are many dedicated and caring teachers out there. 💗

        Reply
        1. Pooja G Avatar
          Pooja G

          I see and I’m glad they’re still in good hands.

          Reply
  8. Rita Avatar
    Rita

    Are you ok, sweetie? The poem is very descriptive; I can feel your pain. I’m just worried about you, but since I’m not there to give you a hug, I’ll send a virtual one. 🤗. Hope that helped!

    Reply
    1. Tamara Kulish from https://tamarakulish.com/ Avatar
      Tamara Kulish from https://tamarakulish.com/

      This is definitely much darker than your usual posts. The imagery is provocative and your explanation doesn’t dissuade one from thinking you’re going through and have been through some very difficult times to have had this come out, even if it was induced by cough syrup!

      I stay away from pretty much all cold remedies because they trigger depression and even suicidal thoughts, even when I wasn’t feeling that or thinking about it before taking the remedies. When I was younger I got sick with a lot of colds, so this medication induced depression was a real struggle. Once I stopped taking it I was amazed how my anxieties and depression went way, way down to the point where I was able to manage it through other therapies I chose.

      Blessings to you!

      Reply
      1. Pooja G Avatar
        Pooja G

        Thank you so much. Most medications in general make me feel a little more depressed than usual. When I feel something darker I tend to just express myself instead of expressing it. But I also try not to hold on to the negativity.

        Reply
        1. Tamara Kulish from https://tamarakulish.com/ Avatar
          Tamara Kulish from https://tamarakulish.com/

          That’s a great approach! Just being aware that we’re having the feelings is important to being able to deal with them. I know it sounds simple to say that, but too often we just get caught up in the depression and struggle to observe it as having a physical cause, and then know we can ride it out.

          Before I was aware of the triggers and the causes of my depression episodes, I would get sucked down into that vortex, be fully connected with the depression and struggle to get ti feeling positive because I was believing all the negative thoughts that were coming up.

          Once I became aware that there were triggers and physical causes, I was able to keep my head above water and work on telling myself that once the medication passed out of my system, or when I dealt with the trigger (such as getting more sleep) I would feel better. Being able to ride it out and keep positive with myself made an enormous difference in handling those episodes.

          I’m glad you have a way of dealing with this to be able to get through it.

          Reply
          1. Pooja G Avatar
            Pooja G

            Thanks so much and yes I so agree. Being aware of our feelings and where they’re coming from makes a huge difference When you know exactly what the causes are you can actually deal with them and not let them get to you.

            Reply
    2. Pooja G Avatar
      Pooja G

      I am, thank you so much 🤗

      Reply
  9. Ankush Taraporewala Avatar
    Ankush Taraporewala

    It’s dark, still wondering if it’s syrup or something else. Anyway get better

    Reply
    1. Pooja G Avatar
      Pooja G

      Mostly just the syrup and some life experiences.

      Reply
  10. DEVANG UPADHYAYA Avatar
    DEVANG UPADHYAYA

    I don’t know what to say.
    Because, I know this is based on real life events.
    Take care dear friend. Be well.
    I hope you are in a much comfortable position now. 😀

    Reply
    1. Pooja G Avatar
      Pooja G

      Thanks so much and yeah I am. 😊

      Reply
  11. Vidah Avatar
    Vidah

    Its deep!
    I am not fit enough to fully understand it😅
    All i know is, i don’t like dark, so, wishing you light, too.

    Reply
    1. Pooja G Avatar
      Pooja G

      Thank you so much 💕

      Reply
  12. Nicole Smith Avatar
    Nicole Smith

    I love it.

    Reply
    1. Pooja G Avatar
      Pooja G

      Thank you so much.

      Reply
  13. Shweta Suresh Avatar
    Shweta Suresh

    We change a lot as we grow older. The innocence gives way to something that’s darker, forged by the harshness of our reality. Beautifully written, Pooja. I hope you’re recovering well

    Reply
    1. Pooja G Avatar
      Pooja G

      Yes, that’s absolutely it. Thank you so much.

      Reply
      1. Shweta Suresh Avatar
        Shweta Suresh

        You’re most welcome ☺️

        Reply
  14. Carol Avatar
    Carol

    Very good. Especially the double haunting at the end. I wasn’t expecting that.

    Reply
    1. Pooja G Avatar
      Pooja G

      Thank you so much.

      Reply
  15. GoodBadSexy Avatar
    GoodBadSexy

    I took this poem differently. as I used to be a cutter and that is how I felt at times. Amazing poem

    Reply
    1. Pooja G Avatar
      Pooja G

      I used yo be a cutter too and that part about cutting is about my experiences with that.

      Reply
  16. Cindy Georgakas Avatar
    Cindy Georgakas

    I really like your poem Pooja and I’m not a fan of dark as you know but there is a realness here in the struggle that many wrestle with. I have read it over and over.. these last lines…

    “And the ghost

    Of the person I wanted to be

    But never became”

    Can you say more of what you meant.. I really love them.
    🥰

    Reply
    1. Pooja G Avatar
      Pooja G

      Thank you so much! I guess we all have a certain idea of what we want to be when we grow up but reality is different and as adults our lives are sometimes less exciting than we imagined.

      Reply
      1. Cindy Georgakas Avatar
        Cindy Georgakas

        oh yes Pooja, that is so true!
        xo

        Reply
  17. Bewilded Avatar
    Bewilded

    Beautiful and bold Pooja🤗

    Reply
    1. Pooja G Avatar
      Pooja G

      Thank you so much 🤗

      Reply
  18. Shaunelius Sterns Avatar
    Shaunelius Sterns

    This poem makes me think of pain being so deep that one just wants to cut it away, down to the bone and start fresh and new in new skin, and with a new spirit that’s happy and not in that darkness within ourselves. If we could cut away the layers of hurt, rejection, heartache and pain, that’s exactly where it would go, right to the bone, and even to the heart, mind, body, and soul. Thank you for sharing. Have a great weekend.

    Reply
    1. Pooja G Avatar
      Pooja G

      Wow, that’s an interesting interpretation. Have a great weekend too.

      Reply
  19. kounselling Avatar
    kounselling

    It’s a good poem, for it speaks the truth.
    reading your further description, reminded me of Susan Boyle’s song: I dreamed a dream from Miserables.

    Reply
    1. Pooja G Avatar
      Pooja G

      Thank you so much. I love that song.

      Reply
      1. kounselling Avatar
        kounselling

        me too 🙂 and who wouldn’t 🙂 it cheered the whole world up., I felt

        Reply
        1. Pooja G Avatar
          Pooja G

          Yes, I think it did 🙂

          Reply
  20. Reaseaorg Avatar
    Reaseaorg

    Paints a strong image the poem. Enthusiasm becomes harder as people get older definitely. Not least due to physical weaknesses, but also the mental strain of life before that day …

    Reply
    1. Pooja G Avatar
      Pooja G

      Thank you so much. Yes, I absolutely agree. More than anything it’s mentally exhausting to be an adult.

      Reply
      1. Reaseaorg Avatar
        Reaseaorg

        Too true 🙂

        Reply
  21. AGAPE SHALOM JAPHET. B Avatar
    AGAPE SHALOM JAPHET. B

    How did you get the title generator?

    Sometimes I find it difficult finding the right titles for my blog post.

    Reply
    1. Pooja G Avatar
      Pooja G

      I just googled it and used a site that came up.

      Reply
  22. AGAPE SHALOM JAPHET. B Avatar
    AGAPE SHALOM JAPHET. B

    Beautiful piece, by the way.

    I don’t know if it’s only me that is rather interested anytime I see “warning” 😂

    Weird I guess😭🤦🏻‍♀️

    Reply
    1. Pooja G Avatar
      Pooja G

      Thanks and I’m like that too lol 😂

      Reply
  23. Doug Avatar
    Doug

        It’s a mystery to me how symbolic things become more potent than reality. A child’s anxiety is soothed by a teddy bear even though it is an inanimate object and not a person or animal. There is a natural anxiety about starvation that motivates the seeking of food, but after enough food has been eaten, the next morsel like the straw that broke the camel’s back is symbolic in the way it can relieve anxiety about unrelated subjects. Food fights a threat to survival and so becomes generalized as a tool for defense. It then in symbolism becomes a tool to fight any threat including a loss of self-esteem. And it is seen in language. Fighting and hunting involve sword fighting, knives etc. But in language we use expressions like “cutting remarks” and “cutting criticism.”
        It’s a mystery how it is that most things are symbolic and not the reality that is sought. Like the teddy bear, the moon is an inanimate object and not a person or spirit. For the teddy bear, one could say that there was a ‘creator’ of the object and perhaps also for the moon. What’s desired is the connection to the ‘persons’ connected to the symbols. The symbols like thoughts and fantasies have mistakenly become more real than the actual reality — … I guess, I don’t know… it’s all very puzzling.
        OK then, I will not give you cutting remarks; so I’ll give you the moon and a plush bear, although I’m not the creator of either. I’m getting lost — maybe I should write a poem…

    Reply
    1. Pooja G Avatar
      Pooja G

      Maybe you should write a poem about the topic…
      Yes, anxiety is an interesting thing. Both necessary and unnecessary at the same time.

      Reply
  24. Glyn Hnutu-healh Avatar
    Glyn Hnutu-healh

    I never use trigger warnings. Life should be experienced, not avoided. Even the darkest of places in one’s life/spirit/soul/mind/existence should be available to all. What does not kill us makes us stronger. Trigger warnings contribute to the weakening of the species. We must know the dark places, so that we can recognise and appreciate the light.

    Reply
    1. Pooja G Avatar
      Pooja G

      That’s one way to think about it. Personally, I know some things can be triggering for me and I would prefer to avoid the trauma so I want to be respectful to others who feel the same.

      Reply
      1. Glyn Hnutu-healh Avatar
        Glyn Hnutu-healh

        To each one’s own. 😎

        Reply
        1. Pooja G Avatar
          Pooja G

          Yup totally 😊

          Reply
          1. Glyn Hnutu-healh Avatar
            Glyn Hnutu-healh

            😁

            Reply
  25. Divya Goyal Avatar
    Divya Goyal

    As a child we desire adulthood for the independence it offers, as an adult, we desire the childhood for the carefree attitude it allowed.
    How weird rights? It comes full circle.

    Reply
    1. Pooja G Avatar
      Pooja G

      That’s so true. I guess the grass is always greener on the other side.

      Reply
  26. donnajburkholder Avatar
    donnajburkholder

    We’re still becoming…

    Reply
    1. Pooja G Avatar
      Pooja G

      Yes, we are.

      Reply
  27. dakotataurus Avatar
    dakotataurus

    You definitely have explained how I felt during my teenage years! Thanks for sharing the poem. Reminded of not so great memories but I’m on a healing journey right now.

    Reply
    1. Pooja G Avatar
      Pooja G

      Thanks so much! Yes, it’s how I felt as a teenager too.

      Reply
  28. Kirsten Avatar
    Kirsten

    I love this poem. A lot of times it’s good to face the dark in order to see the light and expressing ourselves through words can help. It’s like a freeing feeling. Keep sharing. 🙂 Sending positive vibes your way too my friend! 💕

    Reply
    1. Pooja G Avatar
      Pooja G

      Thanks and I absolutely agree. It’s much better than repressing it. 💕

      Reply
  29. Alex Diaz-Granados Avatar
    Alex Diaz-Granados

    Well-written, evocative, and honest. Nicely done, Pooja.

    (I guess today must be a good day for poetry; I wrote my first haiku today, as well.)

    Reply
    1. Pooja G Avatar
      Pooja G

      Thank you so much. And that’s great.

      Reply
      1. Alex Diaz-Granados Avatar
        Alex Diaz-Granados

        You’re welcome!

        I wrote a total of four haikus today. I rarely ever “do” poetry, but today was my day for it. Yours, too, it seems!

        Reply
        1. Pooja G Avatar
          Pooja G

          Oh wow, that’s great. It’s really been a good couple of days for poetry.

          Reply
          1. haoyando Avatar
            haoyando

            Wow, it feels like a day of poetry, which is about life and death anyway.

            Reply
            1. Alex Diaz-Granados Avatar
              Alex Diaz-Granados

              And love…and loss.

              Reply
              1. haoyando Avatar
                haoyando

                True. And hope… and despair.

                Reply
            2. Pooja G Avatar
              Pooja G

              It really does, some days poetry just comes to you.

              Reply
  30. Janice Reid Avatar
    Janice Reid

    Like I said, you are a master or is it mistress at dark poetry. But Pooja, your youth isn’t dead, it’s still alive and kicking 😊!

    Reply
    1. Pooja G Avatar
      Pooja G

      Thanks so much! 😊

      Reply
  31. cheryloreglia Avatar
    cheryloreglia

    Sending some love your way. This poem seems to speak of pain and depression. I hope you’re doing okay. Write me at cheryloreglia.aol.com. if you need to share, discuss, bounce some thoughts off of. I’m here. Hugs, C

    Reply
    1. Pooja G Avatar
      Pooja G

      Thanks so much, that’s really sweet of you but I’m actually much better now.

      Reply
  32. reeydah Avatar
    reeydah

    It sounds like you’re getting better.
    I liked the poem, it’s kind of like something I wrote a few months ago. So yeah, I like these kinds of writings

    Reply
    1. Pooja G Avatar
      Pooja G

      Thank you so much. Did you share yours on your blog? I would love to read it.

      Reply
      1. reeydah Avatar
        reeydah

        I’ve been thinking of sharing it, but I’m a bit hesitant, because it’s not the kind of poem you’d see on a blog.
        But maybe I should, though

        Reply
        1. Pooja G Avatar
          Pooja G

          I understand, it’s different than what you generally share. If you’re up to it you can definitely share it but don’t feel pressured to.

          Reply
  33. H.J Dove Avatar
    H.J Dove

    Beautiful poem and very touching! Losing and finding yourself is a never ending road.

    Reply
    1. Pooja G Avatar
      Pooja G

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  34. BabyFunbo Avatar
    BabyFunbo

    Loved the poem. The vivid imagery adds to it.

    Reply
    1. Pooja G Avatar
      Pooja G

      Thank you so much.

      Reply
  35. Akshita gupta Avatar
    Akshita gupta

    Hiiiiii

    Reply
    1. Pooja G Avatar
      Pooja G

      Heyyy

      Reply
  36. haoyando Avatar
    haoyando

    Now, looking back at the time when I was young, I realized that it was my narcissistic environment that was forcing me to form unrealistic goals to torture myself. If I knew then what I know now, I would have practiced more self love and self affection, to set up reachable goals, to work on happiness for myself, to pay more attention to people who really loved and had regards for me, to avoid those who only claimed that they had regards for me. Well, hindsight is 20/20. So…

    Reply
    1. Pooja G Avatar
      Pooja G

      Yes, it’s never too late to learn. I feel the same way. There is so much advice I would have given my teenage self if I could. I think my environment made everything worse too.

      Reply
  37. nifemi gold Avatar
    nifemi gold

    This is just, wow
    Beautiful
    You captured emotions no one would imagine

    Reply
    1. Pooja G Avatar
      Pooja G

      Thank you so much.

      Reply
  38. Chris Rossy Avatar
    Chris Rossy

    Very emotional 💔💚

    Reply
    1. Pooja G Avatar
      Pooja G

      Thank you so much 😊

      Reply
  39. Pennize Pics Avatar
    Pennize Pics

    I love it! It is dark but I love it!

    Reply
    1. Pooja G Avatar
      Pooja G

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  40. Deck The Halls – Ree Talks

    […] but it could be a good fit. I was a bit hesitant to share this at first, but was geared on by a post shared by Pooja G. Like that post, if you didn’t read this, totally […]

    Reply
  41. My Rollercoaster Journey Avatar
    My Rollercoaster Journey

    I loved it! My kind of poetry

    Reply
    1. Pooja G Avatar
      Pooja G

      Thank you, happy to hear that!

      Reply

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