The “D” Word

Has been chasing me, trying to grasp hold of me and pull me down.

I resist.

I run.

I hide.

Not me.

You can’t catch me.

I’ve seen what you drive others to do.

Thief of childhood,

omnipresent,

invisible force.

Sudden burst of flame

leaving behind wreckage.

Slow smolder

stealing pieces

til nothing remains.

I resist.

I run.

I hide.

Not me.

You can’t catch me.

Watching

plugging ears,

disappearing,
summoning police,

Awkward visits,

uncomfortable silences

prison cells,

treatment facilities,

mental hospitals.

I resist.

I run.

I hide.

Not me.

You can’t catch me.

Bottles of pills,

strewn beer cans,

overflowing ashtrays.

12 steps,

Serenity Prayer

Erratic behaviors

dilated eyes,

red eyes,

wild eyes,

vacant eyes

unrecognizable eyes.

I resist.

I run.

I hide.

Not me.

You can’t catch me.

Good girl.

smart choices,

working hard

keeping busy,

bearing witness.

Hoping to be spared.