conversations with my mental illness

They love you, but

honey

the sad-sack act gets boring quick

The only reason

they’re still here

is they feel bad you’re sick

Admit it, you did it

you’ve left people in the past

You love them, but

the love you have

isn’t built to last

Under this dark and crushing weight

you can hardly breathe

So don’t ask them to share it

depression stays

and people leave

_____________________________________________________________________

I see sadness in my aunt’s eyes

a life of leaps

and falls

Her illnesses, her miscarriage

I love her through it all

I never met my grandmother

she never knew my name

Her brief life was heartbreaking

I love her just the same

These children, they are broken

difficult and rough

If all I do in life

is love them

that will be enough

My grandfather gave me this sickness

and the strength to make it out alive

I forgive him without question

I take his hand in mine

So tell me again

how sadness

will break my life apart

When I say I love you wholly

that includes your broken heart.