Seduced by Life and Depression

It starts with the soft sound of the alarm every morning
I open my eyes and the battle begins
With his soft sultry voice Depression wraps his arms around me and says “Stay”
Life abruptly pulls me up and says, “Live”
Depression holds my arms down while Life opens my prescription bottle
“Here” says Life as I cup my hand and pop the pill into my mouth
Depression is looking at me in a seducing manner and patting the warm bed smiling
Life tosses me my towel and leads me to the bathroom where he starts the water
During my shower I can hear Life and Depression bickering about how productive I will be
I wonder who will win today
I return to my room clad with my towel not caring if they see me since they know my soul
Life has my clothes laid out while Depression scoffs at his choice
“These hideous clothes are very unflattering” I believe him
I apprehensively go to my closet for a different outfit knowing nothing is flattering
Life hands me something he knows I will wear, black skirt and shirt
I dress myself and drink my coffee while putting my make-up on to cover the sadness
Depression is still calling my name softly enticing
Life is more aggressive suggesting things to do today
Sometimes I listen
Sometimes there is too much to listen to
Life knows when to stop talking so I can think
Depression keeps yammering on telling me that Life is too risky
Scaring me back into his warm safe arms under the covers

I am a lucky one
Life is stronger than Depression… today
I worry about those who love the stronger more charismatic Depression who is more aggressive
What if my love for Life was passive and weak
I’d be sleeping with my devoted Depression in our warm safe bed
With Life waiting for me to awaken

Sara Stack
August 6, 2009