Poetry became my coping mechanism – Quanisha Patterson

Quite often the issue of mental health and self-esteem is brushed under the proverbial rug for a number of reasons. One of the most glaring ones is that the person experiencing low self-esteem or dealing with mental health issues is too young.

This leads to a chain reaction, often materialising in suicide or severe self-harm attempts. In an effort to speak about her struggles, and hopefully help create awareness, 17-year-old Quanisha Patterson is using poetry.

She writes about her battles with self-esteem issues as a teenager and how she is able to reassure herself.

The Bishops’ High School student recently had this to say about her battles:

“Over the years, I have developed my view of poetry. It commenced as a coping mechanism due to low self-esteem, but as I matured and became enamoured of poesy, I broadened my spectrum to races, society and such. I no longer exclusively write about my experiences, I now incorporate camouflaged societal issues.

I use poetry not only for self-expression but also to motivate others to utilise their talents and most importantly to raise awareness of extensive issues in my attempt to make a change. I’m also a strong believer that humans share common experiences and if my poetry can extend just one life, I’m fine with that.

I now perform on various platforms such as pageants, poetry nights and planned events which encourages my drive to write even more. It is my hope that persons use me as a role model to be intrepid enough to dispense their talents with the world.”

She shared one of her prized pieces, “Metamorphosis”, with Sunday Times Magazine and said it embodies predicaments such as sexual abuse, drug addiction and secularisation through an immature lustful commitment.

“Metamorphosis” has characteristics of a narrative piece but is spoken word as it tells the story of an undeveloped female in a lecherous relationship blinded by the idea of being in love. As a result, she accepted his “barbaric acts” as stated in the penultimate stanza of the poem.

“This is a very common contemporary issue – the subjugation of women by men. However, men may also be subjugated by women but as a female, I felt the need to express a female’s perception. Moreover, men are not only to be blamed, but the society in which we were raised. Obviously, a society of atheism, drugs and abuse primarily through coitus would encourage dependency on the toxicity of a relationship. It is my desire that this poem promotes female solidarity and independence to discourage toxic relations,” she said.

Here is that composition by the talented teen:

Metamorphosis

A plethora of terrible opinions enclosed in an empty frame of a broken female,

Once allegedly happy due to immaturity

And lacking knowledge of life was of no avail.

As she matured in a cruel world of bloodthirsty hounds,

Murderous rapists covered the mouths of the victims

Leaving the world to hear no sound.

 

Maturing in a world where Mary Jane was more venerable than God and atheists dominated.

No disrespect to anyone’s belief, just know that this story isn’t fabricated.

Then one night, in her notifications:

“Love entered the chat”

Love masked herself hate and discouraged the self-harm campaign

And created a plight in her self-esteem.

 

She went mentally from the average chick to quite frankly a Queen!

Unlike all love stories, hers is contained severe hurt

Your words choked the outskirts of her throat

Bursting her vocal chords in an attempt to silence her

Purely silence the monster you air brushed with the lust you called love

And now you despise the end result.

 

The butterflies after your breath made her side burn tingle and her melanated cheek become a mild fuchsia are all in a coma.

They don’t recall that she’s the true owner.

Your steam scalded her heart and your footsteps were honey

But all she had was one sugar molecule left

And desperately needed something sweet

Not knowing you were contaminated by a plethora of ants.

 

She fell for your phrases

Your overused phrases

And accepted your barbaric acts

Accompanied by your lustful looks.

 

She thought you were her “Superman thanks to Lois Lane”

But never truly comprehended why Superman would cause Lois Lane all this pain

Just for his self-gain – that was extremely insane.

Now, she’ll never be the same.