The Chaos of You
Poem_ What Comes Back Challenge
The days of untroubled quiet in a tension-free body and mind are rare. Life is not simple or easy, and many times, not even fun.
Stress always returns when you call, dropping those troubles, making rough waves in the peaceful waters.
The chaos of You returns to make my insides roil. How do you have such perfect timing to break my peaceful, calm waters?
My pulse now beats faster, my heart thumping, muscles turned to concrete, my jaw a vise, teeth grinding, pain pounding in my temples.
I sigh - long, deep, and loud, unconsciously, escaping me without control.
Again, I sigh, shoulders dropping as air leaves my lungs.
I’m deflated.
I mute you, breathe. Take a big breath, then a second.
Exhale slowly. Repeat. Repeat.
Unmute, wait for a break to interject kindness.
Breathe. Wait.
When I offer ideas, you meet them with deliberate cruelty - stabbing at the tender spots you know so well.
You end the call in fury.
Tears fill my eyes. Air comes in gulps between sobs.
I curl up on the bed, exhaustion overtaking me - nerves shot, a heavy fatigue.
I sleep.
For now.
Until the cycle repeats.
🌪️
Copyright © 4/9/2026 by Andrea O. Corwin Thank you for stopping by! 😃 If you like ♡ my scribbles, hit the subscribe button. Please consider leaving a comment. ✍️❤️
About the Creator
Andrea Corwin
🐘Wildlife 🧘♀️ 🖋️🈷️ 3rd°🥋 See nature through my eyes and photos.
Poetry, haiku, fiction, horror, life experiences. Written without A.I. © Andrea O. Corwin
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Comments (7)
You can really feel the exhausting cycle of stress and hurt here, especially how even moments of calm get pulled right back into it.
Oh this is so sad. Wonderfully written though.
Well-wrought. There are many days when I want to curse the very existence of smartphones, but screening calls is at least one positive I can take from it...
It's easy to be drawn into another person's chaos, indeed. Feel it here, Andi.
I feel you! Captured emotions so well here.
Such a deep interpretation, well done Andrea and good luck.
This hit me so hard because it was so relatable. Loved your poem!