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