All Isn't, What It Seems

Am told

One's mind is

A terrible thing

To waste.

 

And yet

How does one view

Or measure progress

In regards

To mental illness?

 

Given the stereotypes

And stigmas

Which society has

For those

Who suffer with it?

 

Like people believe

One only needs to think

Happy thoughts.

 

Else

Pull themselves up

By the bootstraps

To overcome depression

And PTSD.

 

As if

Their "one size fit all" theory

Will cure everyone

Making them

Whole.

 

When

The truth says

Otherwise.

 

For they have

Never experienced

A crippling flashback

Or chronic severe depression.

 

To know

The depth of suffering

Can input

Upon one's life.

Author's Note

Originally written, July 13, 2014.