"out of touch with reality"

was a phrase i found myself hearing a lot during doctors appointments

when three pills later the voices were still gnawing on the nerves in my brain

begging me to let them in

 

"somewhere between christmas and being buried alive"

was how my parents made light of the mood swings

when i felt like i should either run into oncoming traffic

or go order a pizza

 

"just try and be happy"

was the revolutionary suggestion made by friends

who never forgot to remind me that they understood how i felt

but never remembered to pick up the phone late at night

when the monsters under the bed were chanting

join us, join us

 

"give it two weeks"

was how i made it through

because the world ends at least twice a day

but begins again when i step outside and

listen to the plants telling me everything will be okay