Pain

Pain. It creeps into you, lingering, clinging, overshadowing.

It renders you helpless. You feel lost and cold.

Your tears well up in your eyes, over and over.

You want no part of the world.

Pain consumes.

The phone rings and you put on the bravest brightest smile. That facade.

What's wrong, they say? Why does your voice sound different

You tell them you're on leave today and just woke up.

They apologize, make it quick.

You're on leave.

Tears sting your eyes as you give in to pain.

Alone time.

The phone rings. The process commences all over again. You numbly regurgitate.

Pride, Pressure, Pain. They seem get along.

I want no part of it.

Not anymore.