Blackberry

Sucked into the vortex

by seething, rushing thoughts

Grasped in its power

gasping for breath

grappling for the light

overwhelmed by darkness

a hopeless living death

⎯That’s depression

Wrapped in yourself

by a whirlpool of guilt and fear

Spinning in its force

there’s no up or down

screaming without words

life ebbs away

the lost are not found

⎯That’s depression

Aching and cold

sapped of all strength

useless and futile

as if nothing matters

Fragile, fatigued

weary of living

with no one to mend

the mind shatters

⎯ That’s depression
BUT
This nightmare is not life

the downward spiral

of a mind in disequilibrium

unbalanced ready to fall

Awake eyes, heart, mind

anticipate, appreciate

there’s fruit here for all

⎯That’s reality

Warmed by a wan sun

swaying, bowing in

the windy dance of spring

An emerald fretwork of lace

boasts a milky way

of buds and blossoms

inspiring artistry and grace

⎯That’s hope

Cloistered in a cage of canes

dangling ripe and luscious

hidden in a leafy prison

guarded by barb and thorn

What spring promised 

summer nourished but

fall has bountifully borne

⎯That’s faith

Drenched in dew, night chilled

glossy black jewels

tart, sweet delights

Scratched, scraped, stained

hands warily, gingerly

grasp precious fruit

bearing the pains

⎯That’s life

Rebecca Stewart

 

RebeccaStewart copyright 2000
"Walk a Straight Path in a Crooked World"
https://books.google.ca/books/about/Walk_a_Straight_Path_in_a_Crooked_World.html?id=AUOz2lm7Dl8C&redir_esc=y
2021 RebeccaStewart on Minds