Chris Rathburn

Author of the novels The Last Sage, War Dreams, Relentless, and Wayward Wyrd. Also, poetry and the odd short story.

#writing #writingcommunity #poem #poetry

[Chris Rathburn @Apotheosystem]

My new book Wayward Wyrd is out! It's a dark fantasy about a magical boy trying to escape slavery with a human hybrid girl trying to escape extermination. Both are looking for a place where they can live in peace. Together, they might have a chance.

https://t.co/b5WI0q1Emo

[Chris Rathburn @Apotheosystem]

It's easier now
To feel the worries coming
Make a place for them
Where they can run themselves out
Everything needs room to roam

Words: Mine
Image: AI, based on my words.

#WritingCommunity #poetry #tanka #mentalhealth #depression #anxiety

[Chris Rathburn @Apotheosystem]

Pulling back layers
Of defenses I don't need
But kept a long time
Because they were vital once
And they still feel like old friends

Words: Mine
Image: AI, based on my words.

#WritingCommunity #poetry #tanka #mentalhealth #depression #anxiety

[Chris Rathburn @Apotheosystem]

@pfliar82 Nice one. :)

[Chris Rathburn @Apotheosystem]

I know all is well
But I don't feel it deep down
Inside it's as if
A predator lies hidden
And I'm inches from its teeth

Words: Mine
Image: AI, based on my words.

#WritingCommunity #poetry #tanka #mentalhealth #depression #anxiety

[Chris Rathburn @Apotheosystem]

It's all letting go
Of what took a life to build
A bit at a time
Of what had felt permanent
Until I'm empty again

Words: Mine
Image: AI, based on my words.

#WritingCommunity #poetry #tanka #mentalhealth #depression #anxiety

[Chris Rathburn @Apotheosystem]

Broken confidence
Take another step forward
Panicking again
But have faith in momentum
And find some peace in the pace

Words: Mine
Image: AI, based on my words.

#WritingCommunity #poetry #tanka #mentalhealth #depression #anxiety

[Chris Rathburn @Apotheosystem]

Find the little voice
The one that's kept me going
Despite the goblin
And its shrill constant chatter
That tries to crowd out the rest

Words: Mine
Image: AI, based on my words.

#WritingCommunity #poetry #tanka #mentalhealth #depression #anxiety

[Chris Rathburn @Apotheosystem]

The little goblin
Chattering up its nightmares
Where I cannot reach
But only be still awhile
And let them lose their meaning

Words: Mine
Image: AI, based on my words.

#WritingCommunity #poetry #tanka #mentalhealth #depression #anxiety

[Chris Rathburn @Apotheosystem]

Getting discouraged
And giving up the struggle
Before I was done
Who knows how far I'd have gone
If I had been brave enough

Words: Mine
Image: AI, based on my words.

#WritingCommunity #poetry #tanka #mentalhealth #depression #anxiety

[Chris Rathburn @Apotheosystem]

Without the fences
That used to stand there before
It's all wide open
The horizon slips away
And I fall into the sky

Words: Mine
Image: AI, based on my words.

#WritingCommunity #poetry #tanka #mentalhealth #depression #anxiety

[Chris Rathburn @Apotheosystem]

Learning how to deal
With chronic anxiety
Without defenses
That I outgrew long ago
But wore until they tattered

Words: Mine
Image: AI, based on my words.

#WritingCommunity #poetry #tanka #mentalhealth #depression #anxiety

[Chris Rathburn @Apotheosystem]

Find the other side
By staying just where I am
Go beyond reaching
Gain a little bit of peace
By giving up some control

Words: Mine
Image: AI, based on my words.

#WritingCommunity #poetry #tanka #mentalhealth #depression #anxiety

[Chris Rathburn @Apotheosystem]

Getting a handle
On the old things that don't work
By remembering
The newer things that work great
That I'd backslid on awhile

Words: Mine
Image: AI, based on my words.

#WritingCommunity #poetry #tanka #mentalhealth #depression #anxiety

[Chris Rathburn @Apotheosystem]

Getting a handle
On telling the difference
Between feeling calm
Versus feeling in control
Turns out they're not the same thing

Words: Mine
Image: AI, based on my words.

#WritingCommunity #poetry #tanka #mentalhealth #depression #anxiety

[Chris Rathburn @Apotheosystem]

Working on problems
That I barely understand
And have never solved
But then suddenly break through
Like it was nothing at all

Words: Mine
Image: AI, based on my words.

#WritingCommunity #poetry #tanka #mentalhealth #depression #anxiety

[Chris Rathburn @Apotheosystem]

This fading away
Isn't scary anymore
Only natural
Like leaves turning into gold
And sunsets kissing goodnight

Words: Mine
Image: AI, based on my words.

#WritingCommunity #poetry #tanka #mentalhealth #depression #anxiety

[Chris Rathburn @Apotheosystem]

Lovely how little
Can be much more than a lot
Sink down and settle
Into a tidy snug spot
And watch the kettle get hot

Words: Mine
Image: AI, based on my words.

#WritingCommunity #poetry #tanka #mentalhealth #depression #anxiety

[Chris Rathburn @Apotheosystem]

Setting a clear goal
Then going on to reach it
Helps me recognize
That I am making progress
And that I shouldn't give up

Words: Mine
Image: AI, based on my words.

#WritingCommunity #poetry #tanka #mentalhealth #depression #anxiety

[Chris Rathburn @Apotheosystem]

At first they seem small
Just a couple idle thoughts
About some problem
But then before I know it
I'm stuck in an anxious loop

Words: Mine
Image: AI, based on my words.

#WritingCommunity #poetry #tanka #mentalhealth #depression #anxiety

[Chris Rathburn @Apotheosystem]

One day I will learn
To respect my cat's limits
But until that day
I will bear the nicks and scars
Of their wrathful indignance

Words: Mine
Image: AI, based on my words.

#WritingCommunity #poetry #tanka #mentalhealth #depression #anxiety