A massive spotlight
Splits the dark of a vast stage,
And the act begins.
Can’t Quite
I cannot sleep.
I can’t quite wake.
Caught, lost between,
I stumble and fake
And shake and break
And struggle on
For nothing’s sake.
Mental Illness
In the United States,
One in five have one –
Plus more undiagnosed.
There are over twice as many
Suicides as homicides.
The person who has it
Doesn’t want it,
Has tried to stop it,
Tries to hide it, and
Fears to never be free.
No matter what kind:
It can’t be willed away.
Smiling doesn’t help.
“Bringing you down”
Confirms worthlessness.
Deriding “weirdness”
Increases helpessness.
Both build hopelessness.
Listen without judgment.
Fight impatience.
Offer kindness.
Empathize.
Unwelcoming Welcome
Stark grey and white rooms,
Air like a cold, winter breeze,
Splashes of harsh red
