Life

I get up every morning, but I’m not fully there
The mirror softly asks me, “Who are you today?”
My thoughts run marathons with no finish line in sight
And my body lags behind, worn down by every fight
People say, “Take it easy,” “It’ll pass, just wait and see”
As if there’s just a switch inside I can turn off easily
But there’s noise inside my head even when all seems clear
And I’m tired of pretending that everything’s fine here
Because I’m struggling mentally, though I smile so well
Carrying chaos behind what looks familiar as hell
I’m fighting in silence day after day
Trying to stay afloat, blow after blow
Some days are heavy without a reason why
Other days are empty, no sound, no cry
I want to explain, but there’s just so much
How do you describe something no one can touch?
I’m not weak — just deeply tired
Of always being the strong one, never retired
I’m struggling mentally and it doesn’t show
It lives in my breathing, my gaze, what you don’t know
I want to be met, I want to be seen
Just hold on to me gently, right where I’ve been
If I say I can’t take it anymore
It doesn’t mean I want to be gone for sure
It only means: see me now
I need some help to stand somehow
Because I’m struggling mentally, but I’m still here
Even when hope disappears and the path isn’t clear
I take one step, even when it hurts
And maybe that’s enough, for now — just these words
And if you recognize yourself in this
You are not alone in the midst
It’s okay to be broken and whole at once
You are more than the battle you’re in

Country ballade