Healing.

Silence.

There is a humming somewhere.

Though I have never met Joy before

She has found me

And claims residence in my chest.

Poking at me with her soft fingers

“Come dance with me”

She laughs through her words -

Creating sparks

Against my ribs.

What an uproar she has caused.

Anxiety and Fear peek out of the dark corners

Where I cradle them safely

“What is she doing?!”

I touch my chest and Fear speaks up

“Hide!” it shrills

“Stay safe!”

And I have long forgotten what it is

That it fears

But I hide.

I am safe.

And in my hiding

I am alone.

There is no one that can fit

Within me.

And Joy cannot find me.

Though I glimpse the motion of her feet

As she dances lightly above.

And it is there that the beast finds me.

He is an old friend

That I cannot shake.

Yesterday

He found me in the shower

And slipped right in with me.

He turned the knobs so that hot water

Scalded my back.

And then turned it again

So I stood shivering in the icy stream.

But this time

I am strong -

The control is mine,

And find my balance.

But the battle has tired me

And I slide to the wet floor

While Depression stands over me

Smirking

He loves a good show of weakness.

I close my eyes.

Silence.

There is a humming in my chest.

I hear the pitter patter

Of Joy’s dancing feet

Right outside the door.