Depression Poems - Gratitude

by Mike Hall
(Denver, Colorado)

It used to be that
the sad side of me
would appear out of nowhere
like a cat crouching in the grass
stalking a rabbit

This namesless, aimless
twin brother of mine
would emerge now and then
like a fog that shrouds a
New Jersey turnpike at dawn

He'd stay for a day or two
or maybe longer
like a houseguest who
overstays his welcome

It used to be that I'd wonder
if the sad side of me
was reality
and if I'd ever break free

I cursed and I prayed
yet still he stayed
locked inside

I cried and I tried
to cast him aside
like a bag of leaves on the curb
that's bound for the dump

Now I awake most mornings
and write three pages of
streaming thought....

thoughts of gratitude for the life
I have when he's not intruding
and deluding me into thinking
the sad side of me is all there is


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I love this, thank you, Mike. Well said.
Laura
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