ROLLERCOASTER RIDE
‘ROLLERCOASTER RIDE’ is a collection of poetry by first-time author Jo Woodhouse. Jo drew on her own personal experiences with the aftermath of suicide to write these poems. The poems in this book explore a range of topics related to mental health, grief, hope, life, love, moving forward falling back and moving forward again.
The poems are raw, honest, and often heart-breaking, but they are also hopeful. Some may be confronting, but they offer a glimpse into mental illness, and provide a message of resilience and hope. Jo also talks about the importance of mental health in the workplace and building a positive work environment.
The ones who take this path don’t see the aftermath they leave behind. They don’t see the pain and suffering others are now faced with, or how they’ll continue to struggle in their life for different reasons. They don’t see, the rollercoaster ride!
If these poems make just one person realise the ripple effect of pain they’ll leave behind, hopefully they won’t do it. If they could save just one life, it’s worth it!
Here's a little sneak peek
The ripple effect
You tossed the stone across the water
The ripples on their way
The ripples mean there's no way back
And fate was had that day
The ripples wavered outwards
There was no point of return
But you can't see below the water
Or your presence for which we yearn
The stone sinks to the bottom
Taking our hearts with it too
But you don't see the stone has changed us
As we face life without you
The ripples hurt so many people
And they show you were in strife
But this action bears a consequence
'Cause the ripples last for life......
The grief train
The grief train departs the station
As my time with you is gone
It’s a ride of mixed emotions
It’s not the train I should be on
It rides the track of ups and downs
Of anger, loss and guilt
Of rejection, hurt and emptiness
Where is the life we built?
It heads into the tunnel
Where you feel there’s no way out
There’s no light at the end of it
There’s just many clouds of doubt......
There is always hope
Tell me what’s happening in your life
What gets you through the day?
Are there things that trouble you?
Please tell me you’re okay
Don’t ever think you can’t reach out
And say what’s on your mind
Just talk to me, I’ll listen
We’ll take one day at a time
I’ll take your hand and walk with you
We’ll fight this dreaded fight
I’ll walk this path beside you
So be strong with all your might......
Rainbows and unicorns
If only life could be like a child’s mind
Expressive, innocent and free
Filled with fairy dust and moonbeams
And all those fun things life should be
If we could always see full colour
Instead of black and white
If we supported one another more
Instead of picking fights
If we could work together
And hear each other’s point of view
If we just listened to each other
We may learn something new
If we could show each other kindness
And give each other hope
We don’t know each other’s story
They could be on a slippery slope....