Sometimes Life is Like This

I’m alone – from choice

but sometimes

sadness and grief

overwhelm me

Sometimes it seems

for every one thing

that goes right

too many more go wrong

Sometimes I get so tired

of fighting to stay upbeat

Sometimes the effort

is more than I can bear

Well-meaning words

echo through the canyons

of my mind

suck out my willpower

Harsh words said,

“… because we love you,

worry about you”

are not supportive

Maybe harsh criticism

works for some

ignites their fire

forces them to change

But harsh words to me

do not feel of love

but of finding fault

being talked down to

That if I’m not like them

I’m not perfect

or good enough

or deserving enough

Some days

I don’t feel strong

I don’t want to fight

my energy flatlines

My fire diminishes

I want to crawl

into a hole

and never come out

Sometimes I’m just

too fragile.

Today

I am deflated.