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....