the worst kind of sickness
convinces you that
you are well
and makes you believe
you'll find heaven in
your private hell

it gives a double meaning
to encouraging words
"stay strong"
now every turn looks right
when it leads you
further wrong

you think you found art
and your particular
brand of health
when you burn your mind
and choke your heart
and soul to death

a burning fire at the end
of your claustrophobic
tunnel, blinding
you to the fact that you are
slowly dying and you are
not reminded

because you are "well"
on a sip of coffee or
diet coke for dinner
you're convinced you are okay
can only get better when
getting thinner

in a bone cage you rest
one you built
and held closed
on smoky breaths you survive
relationships froze and life
is on hold

now your brain is wired
for self destruct in
three, two, one
before you know you were sick
all of your hard work has
come undone.

*© Tara India.