i have spent too much time

in the land of in-between,

not really happy, but not 

really sad. making it through

the day, but not taking the 

time to fan into flame the

spark of joy that lives

within, tired. 

~~~~

while the influence is less 

than in times past, 

this is the habit i strive to

unlearn completely before 

any more life passes me by.

~~~~

and to do that, I must remember

to feel. not just flatten and ignore

those emotions that dwell within,

but allow them to breathe 

and speak.

and listen.

~~~~

for while the mind might fear the 

message they bring, no breadth 

of emotion has ever killed me yet.

~~~~

no, the real hazard is that land

of in-between, that soullessly 

steals away days 

one-by-one, depressed. 

~~~~

and whatever life has thrown my

way–and it has given its best–

i still have a choice of where 

to reside. 

~~~~

in-between is a place

i will always determine to leave, 

for it is a thief.

its travel brochure is titled ‘safe,’

–but it lies. 

~~~~

©Heather Pound 2022