The Moss Will Grow Over Us

Abstract

I would like to present an original poem for the SEGue Conference. The poem, called “The Moss Will Grow Over Us,” mainly focuses on the difficulties of loving and supporting a person with mental illness, specifically when the person supporting them must leave them behind for their own safety and stability. This poem takes the trope of abandonment and turns it on its head; it is told from the point of view of the person abandoning, instead of the abandoned. It is essentially a formal goodbye letter from the departing party, but one of love and failed attempts at empathy and support. This poem specifically focuses on Anti-social Personality Disorder, but also fits a number of other mental illnesses as well. It is autobiographical, a letter to my best friend, who I do not have the opportunity to say goodbye to. Additionally, I would like to note that it is a longer poem, formatted in twelve short chapters, each showing a different stage in the journey.