Whole Messy Thing Poem Analysis

Poetry is not meant to be luxurious and obvious, it is a secret form of communication that can be done on a subway, in bed, or in the middle of eating a sandwich. Poetry allows those struggling to find the words to say and act as a means to share exactly what is on their mind. Creative practices are becoming a prominent and significant recovery method for the mentally ill and unstable. They enable people to express what they may be unable to say in any other way, and give them a safe place to share it. While mental illnesses are better understood and accepted by most individuals, there is still a large negative stigma to those who suffer from illnesses such as depression and bipolar disorder. Multiple layers of misunderstanding are responsible

Dawn’s collection of poems, especially the poem titled “Whole Messy Thing”, turn her everyday thoughts and feelings that come from living with depression into a powerful being, a form that has more power than a human. Sia released her confusion and frustration with her social anxiety and bipolar disorder into her songs. “Breathe Me” is written as a cry for help, focusing on the way mental illness makes you do things to yourself that are harmful and scary. Both writers are examples of how poetry acts as a way to open up in way that still protects the writer themselves. Their words are neither direct nor obvious, preventing everyone from entering their worlds yet providing the catharsis they need. Through Dawn and Sia, and various studies performed around the world, it can be proven that poetry creates a barrier between every day people and the struggling individuals inner feelings, acting as a safe place for them to release and explore their deep inner

Dawn used this book as a way to become one with her inner demons, and to show to others like her that they are not alone in their feelings. The more mental illness is talked about, the more it creates a feeling of commonality and togetherness between all sufferers and those who wish to be a part of their lives. With Dawn’s work, it feels not exactly like she 's sharing secrets, though there are some, but that she is in the middle of the street making pain and pleasure known. She does not hold back and sugarcoat or glamorize her illness, but rather pick apart the being that it is and describe in detail every aspect of it. Depression is a monster, that “divvies, clinically scores [her], into that and this and this and this.”(Dawn, ..), and letting others know that this monster exists is a huge step towards feeling understood by those around. Dawn is an example of how using poetry to explore the deep dark feelings and confusions with mental illness can help to overcome those feelings. She is a prominent figure at University of British Columbia, and has a wide spread fanbase. Her decision to talk about her depression and addictions opened the door to a lived world where she can succeed and be