Lockdown
Alessandra Graziella Di'Stefano
I have made a coffin out of my ribcage,
lined it with silk so the hurt would stay quiet.
They call it “healing.”
I call it survival.
My smile is the decoy —
teeth polished for the photograph,
while inside, my mouth turns downward,
a reverse-smile stitched into the wet paper of my soul.
Some nights I am the girl in the black dress,
That pulled low so no one can read my eyes,
smoke curling around me like all the words
I swallowed to keep from setting the room on fire.
The ones who say time will fix you
have never had their bones whisper back,
have never sat alone at a table
and felt the ghost of their hand slip away.
To survive, I lock down —
bolt the windows, bar the door,
Wrap my heart in wire until it beats
like a prisoner tapping code on the wall.
And yet,
Somewhere beneath the armor and ash,
a small pulse remains —
faint, furious,
still begging to be touched.
🖋 © 2025 Alessandra Graziella Di’Stefano. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited.
Poetry such as Alessandra Graziella Di’Stefano's 'Lockdown' captures the raw and multifaceted experience of emotional survival during difficult times. The poem uses vivid metaphors like a coffin made from a ribcage lined with silk to symbolize the protective yet isolating nature of healing, illustrating that recovery is not always a visible or linear process. The concept of a smile as a decoy reflects how people often hide their true feelings behind a facade. This aligns with psychological studies that highlight the role of emotional masking as a coping mechanism. Furthermore, the imagery of locking down and bolting windows mirrors the instinctive human response to trauma—seeking safety by withdrawing from the outside world. However, the poem also recognizes the persistent yearning beneath this protective armor, symbolized by a faint, furious pulse "still begging to be touched." This resonates with theories of post-traumatic growth, which emphasize that even amid hardship, the potential for renewal and connection remains. Readers facing their own struggles may find solace in such poetic works that articulate the silent battles of healing and survival. Engaging with poetry that portrays mental and emotional hardship can enhance empathy and understanding, offering a therapeutic outlet for self-expression and reflection. The themes explored in 'Lockdown' are universally relevant, especially in times of widespread crisis or isolation, reminding us of the importance of acknowledging hidden pains while nurturing hope and resilience.