Lifesfinewhine

The Life & Ramblings Of A Zillennial

The Thing Around My Neck

The thing around my neck

Bearable at first

But slowly getting tighter

Struggling to breathe

In and out of consciousness

The darkness so near

Cradling me in its warm embrace

Rock bottom beckoning seductively

The skies silently mocking me

To give in and give up

Or to keep fighting

That is the real question

About The Thing Around My Neck:

It’s been a hot minute since I wrote a poem. Or wrote anything really. I’ve been having a bit of writers block since October and it probably has to do with being burnt out from finishing the first draft of my second novel. My brain needs some time off lol. However, yesterday this poem popped into my mind and I wanted to write it down before it disappeared again.

There was a Diwali fair some time ago and I always go because the local library has a book sale. The Thing Around Your Neck by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is one of the books I ended up buying because I’ve heard good things about her writing. I started reading it a couple of days ago and finished it last night. The book was brilliant, I can’t recommend it enough. It’s a collection of short stories and The Thing Around Your Neck stood out to me in particular and inspired this poem. I think that’s what good writing does, it inspires us to write too.

You can find The Thing Around Your Neck by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie here.

What did you think of this poem? Have you read The Thing Around Your Neck by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie? Let me know in the comments section located below because I would love to hear from you. Or simply stop by and say hi!

To read more poetry click here.

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P. J. Gudka

11 responses to “The Thing Around My Neck”

  1. John Avatar
    John

    Always keep on fighting, Pooja. 😎❤️

    Reply
  2. thomasstigwikman Avatar
    thomasstigwikman

    It is a dark but profound and beautiful poem

    Reply
  3. Lokesh Avatar
    Lokesh

    I see it like this: “The people who are your strength and support can be your weakness and controllers in different situations”.

    I question myself twice or thrice — 1) whom I idealise or see as an inspiration, and 2) what are their imperfections or less known sides.

    For example: Most of us behave similar at our school. Our teachers teach us some common rules and regulations.
    It is possible that the teacher can focus more on a high scorer rather than working with a low scorer willing to learn.

    Regarding your poem, I do feel that getting dark thoughts is easy nowadays. And I am getting many dark thoughts at present (I strongly wish to not feel and think that way).

    I feel when someone gets neglect for raising genuine concerns, repeatedly — they may stop raising them.
    If you are triggered or hurt from inside, at the core — it can transform you into a hopeless suppressed person.
    (I don’t know why new movies are coming up with lots of — violent scenes, uncertain and complex relations, death idealisation, and building too much sensitivity around a girl’s/woman’s life).

    Sorry… this much depth is not needed. I end up finding unnecessary connections between two topics. 😅

    My message is to avoid or reduce dark thoughts.
    I observe… watching & reading a certain type of content — continuously — has made me more sensitive that I was earlier. I have become sensitive regarding most things.

    Reply
  4. Milena Alien Avatar
    Milena Alien

    The poem sounds like a suffocating relationship or just a dream that turned out to be detrimental. We sometimes dream of things that don’t do is any good, alluring and toxic. But at the end of the day, you are the captain of your ship and the master of your soul.
    The book sale sounds great, Pooja, I’m glad you went.

    Reply
  5. VainBeauty Avatar
    VainBeauty

    Beautifully written

    Reply
  6. shivatje Avatar
    shivatje

    🙏🌹

    Aum Shanti

    Reply
  7. destiny Avatar
    destiny

    the emotions are loud in your poem, Pooja … and the last lines bring in uncertainty with clarity too, for the reader…

    Sounds like a great read…thanks for sharing…🤍

    Reply
  8. ianscyberspace Avatar
    ianscyberspace

    You do well on your poetry. It’s a long time since I attended a Diwali celebration and I kind of miss that.

    Reply
  9. Stephanie Avatar
    Stephanie

    I love when a book gets into your system in such a way that compels this kind of creative expression.

    Your poem is heavy, recognizable too. <3

    Reply
  10. katiemiafrederick Avatar
    katiemiafrederick

    “The Thing around my NecK”

    SMiLes Dear Pooja

    i Surely Can Relate to that
    nagging feeling Hanging
    Around Just Not Letting

    Go Like the Period of my
    40’s the Whole Decade it
    Seemed Not able to Catch my
    Breath for a While in ease yuck
    Just No Ability to Inhale in Peace
    True Not much chance of a Loving
    Exhale Then i’d get Chilled in a Breeze
    Yes on a 100 Fahrenheit Florida July Day

    Not really Writer’s Block then Just No Where
    to even find Words To Speak Oh Where Did they go

    Like the Old Military Veterans Related in the Headquarters
    Building Stress Will Do Whacky Things You’ve Never Felt or

    Not
    Felt
    Before

    And

    that was
    Just the
    Beginning
    of the Decent
    to Hell Just Hanging Around
    There for 66 Months with

    no
    smiles

    Yet of course
    Pain and Numb
    No Longer Exists

    And Occasionally
    my Wife asks will

    i
    ever
    shut

    Up

    As She bellows
    i Bring a
    Unique

    Gift

    of
    Fredache Hehe..:)

    Reply
  11. festo_sanjo Avatar
    festo_sanjo

    Sometimes, we have no option but keeping our heads up high, and fight.. Life is a finite thing, and we gotta take advantage of it

    Reply

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