Anatomy of Melancholy

She heard pigeons overhead. Looking up she saw them whirling and gyrating, Forming ever emerging patterns in the sky. They soared on and on, Until they became fading black dots in the blue. Such sights would have sent her to raptures, Sometime back...... But now when she sees them. She can only think of the years speeding by, And the chances missed. And her whole life- a fading black dot! She is infected with a virus of melancholy. She walks with lacerations in her soul. Pain consumes her without flame. Forever she wages a battle inside, To drive out the demons of dejection But she feels as if a sharp knife, Is cutting right through her heart, And she winces at every chop. Though she tries hard to cover her bruises, They bleed red and make themselves known. Pain has sucked her out. In a leaking vessel, she collects her tears, To water the parched terrain. Of her drought-stricken domain Light has sorely betrayed her. And now she lives in perpetual darkness, Fighting with black shadows Day in and day out! May. 13.2023 Anatomy of Melancholy Poetry Contest Sponsor – Craig Cornish