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.