I wrote this in 2017 amidst the first time that man was in office. It’s fitting for now as well. My darkness has returned. My distractions look more like Community and nonprofit board appointments. But they’re still there. But now, because of him, they’re just not working.
I coast through life on distractions. Temporary, thoughtless pleasures like binging The Office on Netflix for the 20th (not an exaggeration) time create the illusion of contentment. I drown my thoughts in extensive commitments that drive me to exhaustion. Then without any prompt, it all changes. The darkness (my dramatic name for it) returns.
My suppressed thoughts and emotions rise to the surface all at once. Shadows encompass my brain. Tears arrive uninvited. The distractions no longer do their job. Movies play in my head of all of my shortcomings and awkward encounters. I want them to stop but I’m looking for a switch in pitch black night. Everyone is my enemy. Every weekend a reminder that I am alone.
Sirens resound as my thoughts switch to the future. Tomorrow, a commitment I will not keep. Next week, one I begrudgingly must.
Bring back the distractions.



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