Remember that We’re Strong (a poem)

Each new year is a beginning
Though it feels we’ve already lost
Our hope is usually brimming
But lately we feel distraught

The world has changed for good
There’s no going back to before-times
If we could, we certainly would
This new era is chaos defined

For those with mental illness
It feels like the world has caught up
Now everyone has a sickness
The entire world is stuck

Mass media headlines spread fear
And I admit I do get sucked in
But it’s true these times are severe
Waiting for a civil war to begin

America has gone rather nuts
But most of the world has, too
Where are all the adults?
It appears none are in view

We can focus on the downsides
But that won’t do us much good
So why not simply reside
In peaceful moments we’re assured?

History is full of examples
Of catastrophe and change
Times when shit’s gone haywire
And everything’s been strange

Yet the sun always rises each day
We continue to plod along
Even if we see darkness and decay
Remember that we’re strong

(Photo by 愚木混株 cdd20 on Unsplash)

Author’s Note: Happy New Year, everyone! This has been an especially weird New Year and holiday season for me, as I’m sure it’s been for some people. Some of my worst depressions lately have been caused by getting too sucked into the news, craziness, and negativity in the world right now, especially here in my home country of America. So, I wanted to write something that provided a little glimmer of hope for 2022 and the years ahead.

I don’t have too much confidence things will be much better, but a so-called resolution for me will be to stay centered, focus on the positives, and stay in the moment. Even if 2022 turns out to be another crazy year, I’m grateful for the things I do have in my life, such as my partner, Rachel, my job, my writing practice, and the little modicum of faith I still have. Life has been handing all of us many lemons lately, so we might as well squeeze the shit out of them and turn them into some tasty lemonade!