The Silver Lining, Spring 2014

SPRING 2014 PRIceleSSGReat aRt IS

SPRING 2014

The Silver Lining is a collection of art and literature by the Silver Hill Hospital Community. All of the work published in The Silver Lining is created by patients, alumni, volunteers and staff.

The Silver Lining is a forum for healing and creative expression.

Silver Hill Hospital208 Valley Road

New Canaan, CT 06840800-899-4455

www.silverhillhospital.org

Staff Advisor: Elizabeth Moore, Chief Operating Officer

Editor: Heather Porter

Design: New Leaf Graphic Design

Special thanks:

Front cover art: Vanessa

Submissions may be sent to:[email protected]

orSilver Hill Hospital

Community Outreach Dept.208 Valley Road

New Canaan, CT 06840

thismagazinesays no tostigma

Copyright 2014. The Silver Lining is a publication of Silver Hill Hospital. Please, no unauthorized copying without written permission.

All rights remain with contributing authors and artists.

Gisselle AcevedoCathy Allman

Clara BurlinsonFrank Bordonaro

Cheryl CardSusan Carson

Briana Colantonio Pam Davis

Gina FereiraAlison Garvey

Alexandra GrayDana Jaykus

Anne RomanoLisa RuggieroMissy Savage

Debra SingletonAlanna WatersKatie Wieting

Lena Yavrouvian

SILVER LINING MAGAZINE SPRING 2014

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Kevin

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Dear Alcohol,You have ruined a good part of my life, a part of my life that I should have really been enjoying without you there! You have changed me for the worse. We still hung out, morning, evening and late at night, but you turned me into something that I didn’t want to be, yet I wanted your company. We hung out so much that we had to split up because you beat me up and I had to be treated for pancreatitis. But we made up and continued to develop even a deeper bond. When I didn’t see you, I knew I needed to because I would shake, and I had so much physical and emotional pain.

So this is my break up letter. We can’t see each other anymore; I don’t want to depend on you. It’s time for me to depend on myself. I can no longer be with you, in fact, your attitude and the way you’ve been treating me almost took my life, and that is more important than you. We are done; and I mean it. I have a new best friend, AA.

Sorry, but not sorry – Goodbye.

The new me, Ashleigh


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No RoomJust for today, I’m trying too hard; to defeat an addiction, to weaken what makes me weak, to win when no one will look and lose where everyone else can see. Today there was no room to keep friends.Just for today, I have to evaluate; what an ego I have, what I make people feel, what happens when I lose just after I’d sworn I'd just won. Today, no room to fight back.Just for today, I have to let go; of fear of success, of reasoning that fails, of a mentality I’ve bred deep into my mind. No room to breathe.Just for today, I will fit in; with all the best, with all the rejected, with all the hard working who found their peace and comfort No room to find the end.Just for today, I have a heart; so I can find my friends, so I will never stop 100%, so I can go longer than the durable and stay steadier than the stable. No room to fail.Just for today, and all other days, I will make room.

— Ben


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Henry


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Tracey


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I don’t shout, scream, or yell at othersI have learned from my bad experience when I use my knuckles to fight my brothers

I won’t talk smack about you behind your back because I know of the negative consequencesWhen others talk it, I plead the fifth

It ain’t hard to tell why I refuse to play with amateurs, its multiple reasonsMy number one is they can’t keep their cool in all four seasons

It’s a cold world, and when I’m stuck in the kennelI remember two things; I’m a human that stays professional.

— A Kid with an East Coast Attitude

The Professionals


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Thine acts of affection please me,T’was before dawn when thine voice has’t stolen thy heart.

Thine acts of courage encourage me,For only death shall bring we twain apart.

Thine act of persistence aids me,For thine acts of love would cease to be.

Thine acts of valor surprise me,For thine bravery surpasses the best, and ye shall agree.

Thy acts of love shall appeal to yeFor marriage shall be

Ye shall be KingFor you shall decree

For our love o last as long as we sing

— Anthony

Aaron


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THE HILL

The sun came up unexpectedly that morning.She raised the window and breathed in the new day that was dawning.

As she looked, she cried.She reached deep inside.

She opened her eyes.Tore away all disguise.

And for the first time, in a long time, she felt a burning desire to live.And for the first time, in a long time, that’s just what she did.

She saw a cloud drift slowly across the sky.Stepped through the door and had to shield the sunshine from her eyes.

First she walked, then she ran.Then she smiled, found she can.Climbed the hill, and it began.As she reached out her hand.


Soon the moon hung shining in the sky.And the stars appeared one by one to her delight.

So she sat, then laid flat.With the hill at her back.

Watched the show, in the know.Moon and stars moving slow.


For the first time, in a long time, she felt a burning desire to live.So for the first time, in a long time, that’s just what she did.

— David


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Henry


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Main 3


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Jamie

Michaels Library Group


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The Me You Don’t Know

Its dark, its loud, its hatefulI hate you, you hate me, you’ve always been unfaithfulYou don’t know what it’s like to hear this everydayDealing with these thoughts of mine isn’t a game you want to play.

The needle, the razor, the restriction of lifeIt quiets it enough to where I almost feel brightI sometimes hope this cruel mind would dieFor a final source of relief, so my soul could finally fly

You make me despise you, with a smile you give me your poisonI think I’ll try this fight one more time, maybe I’ll finally be chosen

I feel like giving up, back and forth, my heart goesFor the voices of the abuse and terror always seems to flowI can feel the hands around my neck, the sharp numb pain in my gutI never knew someone like me could survive and be so tough

This is the part of me I try so hard not to showI keep a tough yet positive exterior; it’s tiring, beginning to slow

I think I’ll try this fight one more timeMy heart keeps telling me that life can truly be mineI can quiet the screams, soften the flashes of deathTry to come to terms with my son’s last breathI think I’ll try this fight one more timeI can beat this, I can trust, be open and vulnerableI no longer have to pretend that everything is just fine

— Krista


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Kylie


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Vanessa


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Stella


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Tara


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Vanessa


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Tara


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Adam

SIlVeR HIll HOSPItal 208 ValleY ROaD NeW caNaaN, ct 06840

www.si lverhi l lhospital .org

silverhillblog.org

The Silver Lining, Spring 2014

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