Creatively Healing

Darkness surrounds me,

Hope subsides.

I buckle in tightly,

For one of Hopelessness’s rides.

I was doing so well,

I was making great strides.

Then I’m suddenly in the undertow,

Of a giant riptide.

I’m drowning in depression,

I’m grieving and sad,

I’m swimming through trauma,

This place I’m in is bad.

I do not understand,

How I got pulled back in.

I was so excited,

And celebrating my wins.

It’s scary to think,

Just how easy it is to fall back.

There must be something inherently wrong with me,

Something I lack.

I hate feeling like this,

I hate hating my life.

I hate fighting my true self,

I hate constant pain and strife.

This grief is an ocean,

It roars and consumes me.

I’m trying to get out,

But through the murky waters, I can’t see.

Will I be able to pull myself out,

Of this dangerous place?

Will life be brighter,

And easier to face?

I want to believe,

That there is more than this pain,

And there’s more recovery & happiness,

For me to gain.

I can’t give up now,

I’ve come too far.

I’ve got to keep trying,

To catch that one shooting star.

I know it’s not easy,

I know it takes working hard.

I have to take it inch by inch,

Not take it yard by yard.

Depression can’t win,

Neither can ED.

I’ve got to keep fighting,

Until, “I won,” is said!

–Pam Burton ©️ 2025

12/27/2025