Ali_77's "Pain" is about a person in deep distress who runs through the ways they could end their suffering, then turns away from them. The opening question, "How do I stop the pain?", sets the tone. The speaker lists methods of self-harm and suicide in a flat, almost casual way, and even slips in the thought of hurting their bullies. The sudden "NO THOSE ARE NOT THE ANSWERS" feels like a hard stop, as if the speaker is pulling themselves back.
What follows is a decision to seek help, but it's shaky. The speaker mocks the idea of a "no good therapist" and calls their own story "sorry," which suggests shame and a fear of not being understood. Still, they commit to writing everything down and telling it. The mood is raw, angry and exhausted, with a thread of fragile hope. The last question, "How will you stop the pain?", turns to the reader, asking them to consider their own answer.
If this poem reflects something you're feeling, please talk to someone you trust or reach out to a local crisis line.