Black Poems

Fragile Thoughts

The mind quiet but brittle

While I walk and face the sun

I squint and lift my hands

Above my tired eyes

Looking at nothing in particular

I draw back in my mind

I sigh and open my vest

The weather so warm and humid

Taking it off I tie it to my waist

Take a deep breath. Inhale.

The smell of summer that is coming

But the winter still remaining in my head

I observe daily life

Think about how things will be

Back in the water. Swimming the currents

Unable to control where or when I will end

I smile bitterly

"Go with the flow”

Swimming instead of drowning

Better but still a sad approximation

Of what I could be

Of what I was

While the sun shines down on my fragile mask

I realise that underneath

I will never be the same again

This darkness in my head

Temporarily over won

But always lurking. Pushing to get out.

Eager it awaits the first tear

Ready to storm down the barricades

That are so carefully constructed

Around my fragile mind.

Vulnerable and frightened

But refusing to give in

I gather courage for

Whatever there is to come

Smiling I put on my sunglasses

Put my hands in my pockets

And continue down the road.