Waiting for Life

by Timothy Felde

the sea is cold enough,
immerse in it

let your limbs go numb,
bit by bit

every ache, every cut
outside or within

can you feel them
leaving?

the tide is here to take
all you hold close

the waves will bring quiet
into the chaos

this is the offer
you have awaited

you will drown
after years of suffocating

– depression

After I closed every road that led into the future, I ended up in the waiting room. A place where time only passes if you acknowledge it. Stuck between doors I canʼt open and doors I canʼt close, I am forced to face what I lost and what I canʼt seem to lose. Wander with me, down the endless roads of the waiting room, with no aim and no destination. In this poetry collection, I will illustrate what happened after I gave up on life – and death.

Genres: Poetry, Mental Health

108 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 3, 2024

Reviews

[Ares · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection stands out as a gem. While still a part of the Instagram poetry trend, it rises above many of its peers with thoughtful rhymes, unique themes, and a darker, more intriguing aesthetic that sets it apart. The rhymes, while occasionally forced, are present and add a rhythmic charm that other collections often lack.

The formatting is solid, guiding the reader through the book without feeling scattered or disjointed. One critique is the choice to stick with all lowercase—a stylistic decision that I dislike—but it’s far from a dealbreaker.

What really elevates this book is its thematic depth and originality. The poems explore darker, more unsettling emotions and ideas, and while the cover could have better reflected the brooding aesthetic within, the content speaks for itself. Certain poems are particularly striking, deserving of rereads and applause.

Take, for example, the poem on page 23:

I’m terrified
of the meal on my plate
and the taste of horror that will await
but I made it myself
the ingredients carefully selected
the right amount of nauseous to which I will be subjected
it’s a family recipe handed down by generations
a sweet smell
stronger than any hesitation
the happy meal
that is here to destroy
it doesn’t come with a gift, I am its toy

Compared to similar collections, this is by far the best in its category. It’s not perfect—there’s still room to grow—but it feels far more deliberate and unique than others.

What Makes Good Poetry?

1. Imagery ✅
2. Rhythm and Sound ✅
3. Precision 🆗
4. Originality ✅
5. Structure and Intent ✅