Creatively Healing

"How art helps us heal."

recent posts

about

I love nature, writing poetry, journaling, drawing, painting, and creating mixed media art. I use all types of art in my healing processes from PTSD, Treatment Resistant Depression, Anxiety, Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating, and other mental & multiple physical health conditions. I’m honored to be here!

Drowning

Darkness surrounds me,

Hope subsides.

I buckle in tightly,

For one of Hopelessness’s rides.

I was doing so well,

I was making great strides.

Then I’m suddenly in the undertow,

Of a giant riptide.

I’m drowning in depression,

I’m grieving and sad,

I’m swimming through trauma,

This place I’m in is bad.

I do not understand,

How I got pulled back in.

I was so excited,

And celebrating my wins.

It’s scary to think,

Just how easy it is to fall back.

There must be something inherently wrong with me,

Something I lack.

I hate feeling like this,

I hate hating my life.

I hate fighting my true self,

I hate constant pain and strife.

This grief is an ocean,

It roars and consumes me.

I’m trying to get out,

But through the murky waters, I can’t see.

Will I be able to pull myself out,

Of this dangerous place?

Will life be brighter,

And easier to face?

I want to believe,

That there is more than this pain,

And there’s more recovery & happiness,

For me to gain.

I can’t give up now,

I’ve come too far.

I’ve got to keep trying,

To catch that one shooting star.

I know it’s not easy,

I know it takes working hard.

I have to take it inch by inch,

Not take it yard by yard.

Depression can’t win,

Neither can ED.

I’ve got to keep fighting,

Until, “I won,” is said!

–Pam Burton ©️ 2025

12/27/2025

Posted in

6 responses to “Drowning”

  1. Rooted in Fae Avatar
    Rooted in Fae

    The line about taking it inch by inch hit hard. This was powerful.

    Like

    Reply
    1. Pam Burton Avatar
      Pam Burton

      Thank you for your reply, Rooted in Fae. It is most definitely hard to take life inch by inch. I want to take huge strides, but they never get me anywhere positive. Forward progress, no matter how small we may think it is, is still moving forward. It’s not a race. We need to challenge ourselves to slow down, be kind to ourselves, listen to our bodies, take care of ourselves, and move at a pace that is comfortable for us…not what society says or insists we do. You’ve got this. I’m here if you need me. Take good care.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  2. Ljh Avatar
    Ljh

    Oh Pam, that is very well said yet it brings tears to my eyes. Hold on tight to God’s hand.

    Like

    Reply
    1. Pam Burton Avatar
      Pam Burton

      Thanks so much, Mama Linda! I’m holding tight, I promise. I pray you are, too! Love & miss you ❤️.

      Like

      Reply
  3. Tricia Avatar
    Tricia

    Pam, thank you for having the courage to share your heartfelt poem. I can relate to it in different ways every time I read it. Thank you and I hope you continue to share your experience and find hope and growth and healing because you deserve it all!

    Like

    Reply
    1. Pam Burton Avatar
      Pam Burton

      Thank you so much, Tricia! Keep fighting, Girl! We’re gonna make it. I’m so thankful we have each other’s support! Love you, my Sister!

      Like

      Reply

Leave a reply to Pam Burton Cancel reply