My life has evolved into something
I did not anticipate.
I find myself surrounded by people;
I'm always running late.
My grades aren't where I want them.
My talent isn't great.
My skin has become dull and worn.
Mediocre seems my fate.
The voices in my head overwhelm me.
Nothing can sedate it

I like order
I like organization
I like schedules
I like rules
I like balance
I like harmony

But recently                                   ,
    my life becomes                                         a whirlwind          .

Which   way   is   up

                   ?
    I can't find my  footing
...
                                                 ­          Where did
          the ground go                                                               ­      !

Thefloorissinking Itiscavingin
   I need to--
                         I need to find my rock.

I told you that I didn't like
the way you talked to me.
You told me to grow up
and not be so sensitive.

I told my teacher what was going on,
why I couldn't focus on my test.
She said excuses aren't welcome here.
She said grow up and do your best.

I told my mom what you told me.
She said I heard you wrong.
She said there's no way you would say that.
She said grow up and go along.

I told so many people...
But nobody would care to listen...
I sit here with an empty bottle...

...No one hears the voice of children.

The sandbox is filled
With toddlers just starting to yap.
They play, they eat, they cry
Then it’s time to take a nap…

The monkeybars are seen
With older children showing off.
They swing, they drop, they rise
They continue with their stuff.

The slide is now in focus
With pre-teen children climbing up.
They run, they jump, they laugh
They begin to develop.

The swing can now be seen
With adolescents hanging out.
They fly, they fall, they try.
They learn what love is about.

The grass is freshly cut
With young adults reading for class.
They see, they dream, they do
The hours quickly pass.

The path is occupied
With adults out for a jog.
They sweat, they win, they lose
The years become a fog.

The bench is where it ends
With an old woman in a wrap.
She knows, she speaks, she smiles
Then it’s time to take a nap…

Depression is being so tired every minute of every day
that finding the energy to get out of bed is taxing.
Depression is not wanting to be around people you know you love
because the thought of explaining how you are really doing is heartbreaking.
Depression is drowning in an ocean of your thoughts
while everyone around you scolds you because you should ‘know how to swim.’
Depression is being so confused as to why you feel the way you do
because everyone declares that happiness is a choice you have to choose to make.
Depression is avoiding even looking in the mirror
because you’ve surpassed the point of self-hate.
Depression is being stranded on an island and having the tools to signal for help
but not being able to read the language of the instructions on the label.
Depression is being surrounded by people who love you
but feeling completely alone and unloved.