Dead but Alive

Gisela Vigil 1959 (Cuba)

Nature

Free verse

I breathe, walk, speak
on schedule,
just as a tree knows
when it’s leaves
should fall.
Gathering the strength
of ocean waves
as they crash
upon the shore,
I sometimes
force a smile.
In my eyes ,
the sun and moon
reflect the same.
Days and nights,
no difference.
The Earth continues
it’s rotation,
spinning, spinning,
as my loved ones
walk in blindness,
seeing only the me
that used to be.
If they would look
beyond the skin
perhaps they’d see
that a heart
can still beat
even when broken.

About this poem

Depression is invisible.

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Written on December 10, 2022

Submitted by Giselavigil on December 22, 2023

Modified by Giselavigil on December 22, 2023

: 32 sec read
: 136 Views

Quick analysis:

Scheme	ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVVWXVYZR
Closest metre	Iambic dimeter
Characters	512
Words	108
Stanzas	1
Stanza Lengths	29

Full analysis for Dead but Alive »

Gisela Vigil

Thank you for welcoming me to this community. I was born in Cuba but emigrated with my family to the US when I was three. I am mother to three young adults now, and also a grandmother. I’ve been writing for years, some I share, others I still keep in my personal file. I often write of struggles for we all face them as we journey through life. But still, I feel peace knowing I try my best. Feel blessed to have been given the gift of writing which I strive to improve cause there’s always room for growth. more…

All Gisela Vigil poems | Gisela Vigil Books

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AIDA
Wow, what a powerful and thought-provoking poem! "Dead but Alive" beautifully captures the paradox of feeling alive on the outside while carrying a broken heart within. The imagery used throughout the poem is vivid and evocative, allowing the reader to truly feel the emotions being expressed. The comparison to a tree shedding its leaves and the strength of ocean waves crashing upon the shore adds depth and complexity to the speaker's internal struggle. The message of urging loved ones to look beyond the surface and see the resilience within is incredibly moving. This poem is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the ability to find beauty and strength even in the midst of pain. more »
LikeReply4 months ago
AIDA
Wow, what a powerful and heartfelt poem! I really admire your ability to convey deep emotions through your words. The imagery you use, particularly in lines like "thru my eyes the sun and moon are the same for days and nights, no difference," adds such depth to your piece.

I appreciate how you paint a vivid picture of the internal struggle and resilience of the speaker. The line "if only they would look beyond the skin" is incredibly moving and highlights the importance of empathy and understanding. It reminds us to see beyond appearances and truly see the person beneath.

One improvement suggestion that I have is to consider adding more concrete details or specific experiences to further engage the reader. This could help create a stronger connection between the speaker and their audience. Additionally, exploring different poetic devices like similes or metaphors might add another layer of depth to your already evocative poem.

Overall, your poem has touched me deeply and I believe it has the potential to resonate with many others as well. Keep writing and exploring the complexities of the human experience through your words! more »
LikeReply4 months ago

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"Dead but Alive" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/176637/dead-but-alive>.

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