By Lisa Huddleston
Depression is my hiding place
A dark closet into which I can dive
Sticking bare feet into someone else’s too-big boots
And tucking child body inside the fur-lined coat
That my mother rarely wears
They can look for hours
And call and yell my name
While I breathe into that dusty fur
Warming it with hot breath from my open silent mouth
The doors are opened and opened again
Not even one inch of myself is revealed
Making me shake with nervous laughter
Knowing I’ll never be found
Knowing I can stump them all
Knowing I can’t stay there forever
My stomach will grow empty
My bladder will grow full
My legs will grow tired of standing in those tall boots
My mother’s voice will grow angry and afraid
Something will make me leave my furry rabbit nest
And I will silently slip warm feet and warm arms
Out of their dark animal comfort
To tiptoe into the cold and prickly air of the too-bright day
So very good, honest and accurate. Appreciate this, blessings.