By Michael W. Raley
Ask me how I’m doing?
I will tell you “fine,”
Despite the overwhelming feeling life is in ruins.
I would tell you, but you may not have the time
To hear me to explain
This physical and emotional pain.
I could tell you about how it took the strength of Hercules
To get out of bed
And how it took the reasoning skills of Socrates
To think of a reason why.
I am not like this everyday,
As there is occasional joy along the way.
Though I may not “look sick,”
This ailment is not one that I picked,
For this is complicated and difficult to understand,
No matter how strong you are as a woman or man.
“It’s in your head,” is the wrong thing to say,
To someone who lives with this monster every day.