Poem One

To write things down can be therapy,

But only I will choose who can see,

If it helps me and others alike,

Then I might just let them read what I write

Postnatal Depression is an illness you see,

I am not alone; it’s not only me,

Many mothers suffer it at varying times,

When they should be enjoying their new "little lives"

Although there is no remorse for their crimes,

It is easy to see how mothers take their babies lives,

The crying with no gap,

Something inside you just goes snap,

Then for shouting at the baby comes the guilt,

This should be the time for bonding, when a relationship is built

All that is required is some help,

Don't expect to suffer all by yourself

There is the shame felt by the label of depression,

But let me teach you a valuable lesson

It is an illness like anything else,

So don't stand back and let society label us and put us on a shelf,

Do they do it with the flu, chicken pox or measles?

No they don't so they shouldn't with depression either

Feeling blue, but that’s just not you

Most days you don't know what to do

To laugh or cry

Sit and wonder why

You sit and think

Maybe do I take a life or a drink?

That is not the way to cope

What you need to find is hope

Channel your energy to something you enjoy

Spend quality time with your baby girl or boy

But remember you and I suffer the same

We are not the ones to blame

It is just an illness like anything else

I hope this poem has been some help

8 January 2003