'It just came out': An untitled poem about OCD

HE acts as my protector
Wrapping me up and placing
A soothing arm around me
But he's slowly destroying me
My mind and body
Deteriorate
The more I give in
The more vindictive he gets
Metamorphosising and finding
New tricks, new torment
I argue with him and almost win
But he's an expert at this game
What if? What if? He says
And so I comply
I feel calm
And he's won

This poem was submitted anonymously to the women's writing community Judith's Room. We've published it here with the author's permission. When readers were concerned the writer may be recounting an experience of an abusive relationship, she answered: "I understand that people will probably think it is about an abusive relationship but it's actually about OCD. I don't know if I should have tried to illustrate this or not but the poem just kind of 'came out'. It's definitely a cathartic experience."

She later added: "I'm scared to change the poem as I don't want to ruin it but I do think it might be better if readers could recognise that it's about OCD because I'd like people to be able to read it and get a little bit of an insight into the illness."

Comments

[Rosie Scribble]

Gosh, what a powerful poem and so beautifully written. I have a friend who has OCD. I feel I can understand her a lot better now.