Poetry

A letter to those struck by the loneliness of December

"Flowers in december" © Daniel Horacio Agostini, 2009. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Flowers in december” © Daniel Horacio Agostini, 2009. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
I tear out pieces of my heart.
Leave them like bread crumbs.
They will show you the way back.
Proof
at least one person
feels like you.

We don’t know how to fill those spaces.
Tried booze
and drugs.
Food
and lack-thereof it.
Razor blades
and perfect strangers. Continue reading →

Poetry

The Morning Run

"Early Morning #1" © Dan Wartnaby, 2006. CC BY-NC 2.0.
Early Morning #1” © Dan Wartnaby, 2006. CC BY-NC 2.0.

An alarm clock that turns on a light
slowly
over the course of thirty minutes.

I still set my phone
to scream at 6 AM.
Just in case.
For consistency.

Some days I get out of bed easy.
Put on shorts, a sports bra, a tank top.
Pull on a highlighter-green hoodie.
Slip into electric-pink running shoes.
Head out the door. Continue reading →

Mental Health

Balance

"Balance of Trade" © Jed Sullivan, 2013. CC BY 2.0
Balance of Trade” © Jed Sullivan, 2013. CC BY 2.0.

A friend posted something on Facebook that said, “Talking about our problems is our greatest addiction. Break the habit. Talk about your joys.” What a tragic mindset. A dangerous mentality. I appreciate the idea that complaining doesn’t do anyone favors. But I feel talking about the things that trouble us is one of the most important, powerful, and helpful things we can do for ourselves. That’s one of the reasons I keep a blog. Somehow I hope that talking about depression, about recovery, about the things that are difficult for me removes some of their power and creates a sort of community. Ever-hopeful knowing none of us are alone in this makes getting out of bed a little easier. Continue reading →