Masking depression in public comes much easier to me than actually pulling myself out of it when I am alone.


Tethered

You do not see it as I make a silly joke,
laughing at my own wittiness - it hides,
withdraws to wait my happiness out,
always lurking to slip in unannounced.

Unwanted but accepted, despised
as it washes away color, dims light,
a monochrome filter applied
to the person I long to be.

A day will be filled with joy,
my focus on fun or family,
or the simple beauty of a bird
splashing with abandon.

It creeps with stealth upon me
as the bird flies, as family departs,
as reflection becomes penance
for not holding on tighter.

It will always walk beside me,
tethered to my soul as tightly
as its happy twin, two spirits,
each trying to win the day.



Poetry by Melinda K Zarate The PoetBay support member heart!
Read 124 times
Written on 2026-06-30 at 21:17

Tags Depression  Self 

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arquious The PoetBay support member heart!
It feels like the last thing keeping one together, self-imposed restraint plus a relationship that cannot be departed from, being bound to someone/something that both wounds and stabilises you, an unbearable connection yet without which one cannot survive.
2026-08-03