Goodbye Letter To a Lost Friend

An effort to understand the intrinsic struggle of those with depression: Oh reason, Guide and comfort me. Save me from this ghastly parasite, This hermit who lives in our mind’s recess Who denies us sleep at night. Who scratches and tears at our will Clings to it with putrid bones, Leaves us completely helpless As our body sobs and moans, Who when you conquer heroically, But temporarily of course, Scurries back to our mind’s dark cavities Feeling no guilt and no remorse. Only to return To prey upon our fears once more, Taking pleasure in confounding us Because our elation he abhors. Though our mind erects his dungeon’s walls It’s instead he that has us confined, Imprisoned in a greater cell: Achlys’ state of mind. The glint in his eye still reflects Our mind’s concoctions back at me, But today’s the final time He will detain my liberty Now I break free, From the metal with which we are tied, And my claim to my own thoughts Can no longer be denied. No binding chains can match me now, Not even my own anger sadness or fright, Goodbye old friend, I bid you well; I take my life tonight.