A lighter side
To this?

I can’t think of one
I’m tired.
I’m worn out.
I’m saddened.
I’m nostalgic.
I’m foolish.

Okay,
I’m not myself now.
Life has been rough
And I’m a bit pessimistic
At the moment.
But I’m allowed to be,
Right?

When it comes down to it,
I know things are getting
Better and better.
When it comes down to it,
I know that we are
Doing better than most.
When it comes down to it,
I know that things are so good
That things are so hopeful
That our chances are so great,
That if they were any better,
I couldn’t stand it.

Overall,
The world is inherently good.
People are inherently good.
Things can get crazy,
But life is inherently good.

Still, even if I know that.
Even if I am an optimist
Even if I am a romantic.
Even if I am hopeful.
I can take a moment
To bathe in depression,
To be a bit grim about things,
To be “realistic”,
That other word for pessimistic.

I don’t have to always
See the lighter side.
Do I?