When Depression Is an Unwelcome Houseguest: A Poem

Depression came for me, then for my son

and now for my daughter.

She is 13.

Depression visits often,

but her favorite time to stay over is on a Sunday night.

She wraps my girl in a gray blanket, like a cocoon

and puts her in a dark corner.

Her deep eyes stare off into space, unable to sleep

and she rubs her hands together

until that soft spot between her thumb and pointer becomes raw and bleeds.

“What are you sad about?” Depression asks.

“I don’t even know,” my girl cries.

Depression sits even closer when others say,

“Just try to be positive.”

“Try harder to be happy.”

Then Depression takes my girl’s drawings away.

The only thing she once enjoyed.

Finally, it’s time for her appointment with Healing.

His office has a soft chair.

Healing wears a suit and dress shoes

And a chunky gold ring on his finger.

He speaks gently with her, then puts down his clipboard

And says,

“You don’t have to do this alone.

If you had a broken leg, would you not expect a cast?”

Healing squeezes my girl’s hand

And passes her a little blue slip of paper

That will save her life.

If you or someone you know needs help, visit our suicide prevention resources page.

If you need support right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text “START” to 741-741.

Thinkstock photo via Nomadsoul1.