“The Hollow” by Juanita Kirton
(shadow of depression is long stretched across my waist a rubber band taut)
on the precipice of the depression
squeezed tight
hours of light rare
darkness creeps closer circling
knotted breath
help from doctors meds
advise her
meditate walk pet a dog
unmask the shame the suffering
tumbling
traumatized in mind on body
splintered
sleep away the blues
smiles disappear
rescue a soul
my soul
up
down
not moving need to move
the blank
sometimes not always
but always sometimes
more pieces fall off
abandoned prayers
stop the hemorrhaging
if only
only if
i could dance
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Juanita Kirton Artist Statement: Dr. Juanita Kirton earned an MFA from Goddard College. Her poems are published in several anthologies. Her chapbook, Letters To My Father, was released in early 2020 by Finishing Line Press. Juanita, employed at the PA Dept of Education, is a US Army Veteran residing with her spouse in PA. Besides writing, Juanita enjoys touring the country on her motorcycle.
