116. B.V. Dahlen

"Villanelle on Depression"

Depression is a fact of life for me.

As much a part of life as food and air,

It hovers like a dreaded entity.

It scatters joys like useless stale debris,

And sews the ashes of my dreams in gloom.

Depression is a fact of life for me.

It poises like a shadowing banshee

With somber wings just waiting to enshroud.

It hovers like a dreaded entity,

And I can almost always guarantee

Secreted in my spectral holidays

Depression is a fact of life for me.

My life becomes a frequent abductee

Purloined by mirthless bird of prey

It hovers like a dreaded entity.

A vulture pouncing when my back is turned,

But, hidden, and not easily discerned.

Depression is a fact of life for me

It hovers like a dreaded entity.

-B.V. Dahlen

Photograph by Laura Manfre.