Numb

As he read the list
Of common reaction to crisis
A few became the obvious
Ways he coped
Over the loss of his father
Social withdrawal
Use of substances
Isolation
But the least painful symptom
Was the most damaging of all
Emotional numbing
Over four full years
And this symptom seemed permanent
Unable to feel for others
And especially for himself
What made him appear so strong
Was actually not overcoming the problem
Too this day only grieving inside
Time did not heal the wound gradually
Because it was still wide open
Just invisible to the naked eye

No comments: