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master-of-shadow — self-harm is for attention?
Published: 2006-03-06 11:44:07 +0000 UTC; Views: 11064; Favourites: 283; Downloads: 30
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If self harm is for attention,then why the scars we conceal,
why feel the guilt with every cut,
why know that within you will never truly heal,
if merely for attention,
the scars would be for all to see,
you'd want all to know what you do,
not be hating what you know you'll always be,
you'd cut and burn in front of others,
not forever behind closed doors,
feel accepted by all around,
not as if you're breaking some social law,
"self harm is for attention",
the words of an ignorant fool,
who think that we crave sympathy,
thing that having scars makes us feel "cool",
they don't think about what they are saying,
look for the logic in the lies,
all they see is attention seekers,
through their uneducated eyes,
maybe one day they'll know the truth,
maybe they will feel the pain,
then with their new found knowledge,
I hope they hear the lies again,
feel the unacceptable,
the hatred these lies create,
be on the receiving end for once,
and forever curse cruel fate,
if self harming was for attention,
then the marks would be on show,
we would not have to hide in shame,
afraid of who might know.
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Comments: 125
This is very well worded...
The person I trusted most said that my emotions are fake and It was for attention. Nobody else had known, for two years of me doing it.
They still do it now, but they themselves seek attention, they use my never ending pain as their attention-grabbing weapon:
"My cutting is real, my depression is real. Unlike [my name]'s. I am not lying like she did about her life. My stuff is real. It is stupid she got attention when I do not. She is worthless, ignore her petty cries. She means nothing. Her suicide attempt was fake, she's a fraud, a despicable human. But me, I am truly in pain... Please help me... Before I die" to quote a journal this person made.
He was the only one that ever knew.
Others only found out because he started telling everyone, bitching about me behind my back, spreading rumours.
I trusted him with my secret... I thought he would help.
But boy how I was wrong.
And that's the reason I have no trust in humanity anymore.
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Your poem is quite nice and its message in very clear and strong, which is beautiful to read.
Now, I thought that maybie, this "self harm for attention" was too stupid, as you point out in your text, to be taken to the first degree. Do you think that self harm could be an inconsious cry for help? That you will hide because you are ashamed of it, in your despair?
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Just sorry but think about what the starving children in Africa, China and India who have gone through so many hardships would just think of this. Sorry, no offense to anyone. Good luck and I hope you get better.
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Oh, so if there are struggling and starving people I cant be depressed but if there are people who just promotions and a new dog you can be happy? Someone elses emotions dont dictate mine
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I'm not saying you can't be depressed if you want to LOL
I'm sure you don't want to though.
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K, sorry, I just get so angry when people say about starving children and how I should be grateful and stuff... sorry
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heh, s'okay
It's like you're a starving child haha
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too true. When I plucked up enough courage to actually tell people what I was secretly struggling with I got slammed by someone for just wanting attention.
But just to put it out there for those who are trying to stop but can't (because believe me, I know what it's like), stepping out and finding someone you trust to talk to about it is very scary, but the best thing in the world. I was only able to stop because of the love and support and encouragement of the people around me. And to be honest, the isolation I felt from trying to hide was far worse than the people who misjudged me once I came out with it.
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Well the person I trusted most said that my emotions are fake and It was for attention. Nobody else had known, for two years of me doing it.
They still do it now, but they themselves seek attention, they use my never ending pain as their attention-grabbing weapon:
"My cutting is real, my depression is real. Unlike [my name]'s. I am not lying like she did about her life. My stuff is real. It is stupid she got attention when I do not. She is worthless, ignore her petty cries. She means nothing. Her suicide attempt was fake, she's a fraud, a despicable human. But me, I am truly in pain... Please help me... Before I die" to quote a journal this person made.
He was the only one that ever knew.
Others only found out because he started telling everyone, bitching about me behind my back, spreading rumours.
I trusted him with my secret... I thought he would help.
But boy how I was wrong.
And that's the reason I have no trust in humanity anymore.
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Oh gosh I'm so sorry to hear that 
I don't know you, but can I just say how sorry I am that your trust was breached like that, and then walked all over and spat on. I really hope that one day the right person does come across your path and you're treated with the respect and compassion you deserve as a struggling human. *hugs*
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who ever says its for attention is an ideot i hid my scars when i cut i stoped with the help of my friends
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I have been trying to stop cutting for months. And it's not for attention!
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I don't know why, but thank you. It sounds weird and all but what you wrote...it hits so close to home. Trying to not to self harm is a constant struggle for each and every single day... I try not to, but I do slip up at times and I'm ashamed of the heavy scars. People are ignorant and oblivious. They will never understand until they have gone through the pain and suffering...and it is not something that I would wish upon my worst enemies. Your words are heavy with emotion and the way your poems flow in a way that expresses this severe problem that should, in my view, no longer be a stigma in society. Only now are we coming to terms with mental illness, yet why is self harm still disregarded as some bratty kid's desperate need for attention? I guess what I'm trying to say is thank you for writing this wonderful piece. Not only does it show pure literary talent but also portrays a severe problem that quickly needs to be remedied as millions are suffering from this silent torture.
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.:mine cuts all are hidden. i promise you'll never see. to share my secrets would be a sin. to share would finish me:.
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.....couldnt agree more...i try and hide but then i always get this one person who says im seeking attention.
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I suppose there are certain people who just cannot understand until they've been through it. I used to say it was for attention, years ago, when I was still very naive and ignorant and then about a year and a half ago I turned to self harm and realized it was definitely not for attention. This poem is deep and I can relate to it beyond words. Beautifully written.
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Ya know, lately, it has been for attention for me. It's kind of revenge on the person that broke my heart. It never was before. Now I just want her to hurt as badly as I've been so I post pictures of my cuts in places I know she can see it but most of my friends can't. I know, I'm a horrible person. But oh well. That's what the blade is for: punishment.
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When I started out, it was purely because I saw someone else doing it, and i may have wanted attention a little. But then it grew into something more, an addiction, or a way to deal with the emotional pain. It just makes it worse in the end, yet I still dont know how to stop. When people say its for attention, I really dont know what to tell them. Its situational. Its not for me any more, but you cant judge if you aren't in their shoes.
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i dont really understand y there r some idiots that think self harming is for attention.
but i gess there r also some idiots that will try and tell every one wat they are doing
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Thank youso much for correcting idiots who believe it is for attention.I saw a horrible post on here the opther stating exactly what your saying is not true.Inearly cried.
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i self harm, i started a few months back, but i have to hide it with eithe rlong sleeves, or loads of braclets, bcause if the guys in my class see some scars they say to me oh look you cut yourself and they jsut brust out laughing, not knowing that o truely do self harm, that makes me feel worse that they think so little of self harm, thank you for uploading this <3
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I agree with this poem so much - it's beautiful and describes my feelings perfectly. Thank you.
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this is soo true ... i hate it when i hear people claim its for attention.... stay safe x
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Love this.... This is amazing. It speaks to me. I have and am struggling with cutting, so I know what this means, I know the emotion behind it. I get really mad when people say it's for attention. I said what's up there. "If I wanted attention, then I would have done them in places everyone would see!!!"
I love this, and I am glad someone understands......
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I really like this piece. Being someone who has struggled with self-harm quite some time, this piece speaks quite alot of truth.
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i self harm, and i understand how you feel. i was accused of doing it for attention, but *I* know that's not true. i only told two people, and only because one found scars and made me tell the other as well. one other guessed, and the most popular girl at my school found my notebook and now knows as well. i HATE it when people say its just for attention. its not, its a coping mechanisim. anyway, sorry for the rant. this is awesome, i love it <3
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Hey I see I already posted but yeah just to say again how much I like this. I like the last four lines best too. well done.
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It's so true. I didn't do it for attention, but I told some of my friends because I felt so guilty and wrong. Some people guessed too.
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The spooky thing is... I was thinking about creating a secret on one of the secret site about this exact subject, when I came across this poem. I feel exactly the same way >.<
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Sometimes, it is for attention.
I know a lot of kids in my school who cut where everyone can see it and seem to be overly proud of the fact they cut.
But I know it isn't always.
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So true. Just a bunch of inconsiderate and ignorant fools who know nothing of pain.. there is this girl at my school though, who boasts about herself and says she is going to cut herself tonight infront of everyone with a smile on her face. I just look in disgrace upon the pathetic girl. She comes to school the next morning with nothing but a tiny scratch never even red and she shows it to everyone. Now, this is attention seeking. But she does everything to attention seek. But for those who do it out of pain, do not. They have reasons to. And it is hard to stop.
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Fuck. This is perfect, so expressive. It's so true.
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stupid bitch in school noticed the scars on my hand when i took of my gloves for a minute and said i was an attension seeker
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