SILVER LININGS

I opened windows,

saw silver linings,

the sky brightening.

I knocked on the door of the day.

In its new frame of mind

it didn’t turn me away;

it pulled up a chair

and asked me to stay.

I took control,

I walked tall.

I had faith

in what I was worth.

I have peace.

I am safe.

I am me.

I am happy.

Anne Broadbent

With good mental health I have,

A better understanding of my world.

I have a clearer vision of my world,

I feel like I can see with both my eyes.

The world is a yellow place,

Instead of a black one.

Back in the days gone by when I was shy,

I beheld you in the distance,

Close up even more beautiful,

But I daren’t even say hello.

Acollades now without a show,

Just gets on and helps me,

Always on time, just a dime,

She’s my pretty penny.

She doesn’t even hear a word,

But does exactly as I say,

Prompt and reads my heart and mind,

And the result is always kind.

Totally and utterly reliable,

My constant companion to be,

Strong in love, and feared by all,

A slip of a thing and so pretty.

Dilligence is on your side,

Won’t leave a stone unturned,

Thoroughly sorted, done and dusted,

Restored and my best friend.

You’re the first always,

Without you I’d be gone

So I sing this song of true love to you,

My closest and so strong.

With good mental health I have
 
Embraced the world I left behind
when lost in darkness of my mind
Eyes now open and I see
beckoning weeping willow tree
With golden glowing moon on high
I dance neath starlit spangled sky
 
Time flies past and I find
life is lovely, people kind
Fighting negativity is the key
setting myself forever free
Unshackled then I aim to fly
for dreams reborn will ne’er die

The rise and smile of schizophrenia

Where the Doctor lends a hand

Sunny side up

The vibes of those integral bells

Waves crashing resplendent in stocking feet

The curling of her windswept hair

The sun shines far from autumn’s grief

My miracle of improvers

From those quiet whispers now quelled in my recovery

The chocolate brownie that does not make me fat

The OT’s speckled paint that drips on the paper was fun

Sunny side up

The rise and smile of my sweet love

With good mental health I have

Life itself

Sunny side up

Karim Harvey

Karim collects a handmade hardback book

He will be presented with this at the House of Lords on the 1st May 2013

Congratulations from all of us at !!

His work will feature in The Yellow Book going nationwide

Selected Poetry Entries for The Yellow Book please click the titles to view:

1. I Feel Life – Ella Zellaby – Rochester Kent
2. This World – Stephanie Rose – Bo’ness Scotland
3. Lift Your Voice – David Holloway – Bedford
4. Mirror – Saiqa Parveen – Halifax
5. With Good Mental Health – Anne Broadbent – West Yorkshire
6. Meadering – Peter McGrath – Essex
7. Senses – Jade Tullet – Berkshire
8. The Wren – Ian Curtress – Cheltenham
9. Recovery – Lesley Burt – Dorset
10. A Home in my Head – Karen Mason – Surrey
11. Freedom is Ours – Gemma Rose – East Sussex
12. Beauty – Debee Ebeneezer – Nottingham
13. It is Ok – Suzanne Bate – Liverpool
14. Happiness is Gratitude – Lisa Barry – Rhondda Cynon Taft
15. I’ve Changed – Louise Gillett – Christchurch Dorset
16. Sunny Side Up – Karim Harvey – London
17. Proud to be me – Denise Claxton – Essex
18. Daylight after Rain – John Campbell – London
19. I Can See The Colour and I Can Feel The Sun – Elizabeth Aldous – Luton
20. Free To Be Me – Diana Hayes – Abergavenny
21. Bus Journey – Safoora Masood – Halifax
22. There Once Was a Young Girl From Wales – Katy Young – Flintshire
23. See the Flowers Beneath Your Feet – Anonymous
24. I Know – Kauser Parveen – Halifax

Congratulations from all of us at !!

I am upbeat

Can you distil that as a drink

It is Champagne

I am happy in a crowd

Can I feed the five thousand with fishes

I am rewarded

Can I shine as bright as a new penny

Or will I give my fortune away to charity

I am filled with optimism

You will be my bride as I awake

I am brimming over

Can I smile even more

It has been proved possible

Because today is a good day

I am well

Karim Harvey

With Good Mental Health I have……

Embarked upon a sea of discovery

Elected to travel to distant lands

Enrolled in college, challenged

Entered the  literary world

Enriched my life and opened…….

A cabinet of wonder in which I house

Howling huskies midnight blues

growling runners on silver lakes with

sparkling snow dressed branches and

glowing fires midst Northern Lights.

Wordsworths dancing daffodils

stretching sun drawn golden heads

reflections mirrored in waters deep.

Amazonian bugs bouncing among

mighty moonstruck moths flying

midst tiny black bats gliding.

Sceat of crushed roses distilling

aromatically and my collection of

curiousities from life’s myraid maze.

 Will be infinite……………….

With good mental health

I can be strong

And throughout my life

I’ll get along

With my therapists help

I’ll push on through

Leave behind old memories

And look to the new

With good mental health

I’ll be the best I can be

I’ll move on and grow up

And be a whole new me

I hope to inspire

And bring light to a friend

For if it’s not okay

Then it’s not the end

This is dedicated to my older sister (20), Rebecca Jackson, who struggles with her mental health everyday.

With good mental health, I can feel you hold me in your arms, and lift my soul.

 When you smile, the earth feels warm; I can feel your warmth.

 You are a roof to everyone, a shelter for the homeless; I can feel your presence.

 You are above everyone; I can feel your existence.

 With good mental health, I can feel you.

 I can feel the calm sea, bringing me sanity, serenity and sensitivity,

 I can feel a ray of bright light and beautiful colours approaching me, brightening up my life forever and ever.

 When the daylight comes to a closure, I can feel you putting me to sleep.

 With good mental health, I can feel you.