I am alright

Each step forward is a struggle.

It feels as though I am wading

wading through life, emotions

without truly connecting.

You ask me if I am okay,

I can see your mouth moving

and I am fairly certain,

certain that I give the standard answer

the one that says ‘I am alright.’

Look a little closer

and you will see;

the tears in my eyes

the fear that I will be discovered as false.

The shattered loneliness I dwell in

all the time.

The black shadows reach forth

capturing me in their fingers

I struggle to break free

only to become submerged again.

©Jay-lyn Doerksen

August 23/17