It is...

For those who don't understand, and those who live in fear.

People stare off into space

Thinking about nothing

And everything

Usually

Those are the ones who are happy

Content, reminiscing

Their heads and hearts aren't throbbing

Yet they are the ones who get 

"You look so depressed"

Usually, they're not the ones who actually are

That's not what depression looks like

But no one notices us

It's the smile

That doesn't quite reach our eyes

Pulls our skin

Into an uncomfortable, unfamiliar mask

It's the moment of panic

When someone reaches for our wrist

Terrified that our brokenness 

Will be exposed

It's keeping our hands busy

So no one will see them shake

The tremors that would show everyone

How not okay we are

It's murmuring to ourselves

Trying to drown the insecurities

Having to reassure ourselves

That things are going to get better

It's making excuses

For why we won't eat

For the dark circles

For the mistakes

It's laughing

But stopping abruptly

Because we know the next sound from our mouth

Is going to be a scream

It's being alone

Choking on our tears

Knowing that if we let them fall 

We are beyond saving

It's sitting with our family

They're all laughing

A harsh reminder of how much

We don't belong

This is what depression can look like

No one notices us

I know

This is what I see in the mirror

Reviews

[Richard Mueller]

I can relate. I can relate so well and I am glad to have read this. It's short yet long. It gets a point across. I love this very much. Thank you for sharing this.

[Rachael Lea]

This is beautiful, the amazing thing is it can go on and on, and back and fourth because it depends on the person with the depression the severity of the depression and so much. This is amazing, I love the flow and your verbiage chosen. Very good job.

[Inject Positivity]

Im happy that you post this one here, many people can relate to it....I loved the thought behind this poem, and you have pointed out some key elements here....Hats off to you....Full ratings as always.....

[May Hopkins]

I love it!! I was once like this. It's a masterpiece!! Just wow!

[JaneFoxscale]

Beautiful. I loved the pauses, the gentle flow of it.