The Caregiver's Condition

Sharp, sarcastic, wry and witty.
These are the words they use to describe me.
Brave, kind, bold and outspoken,
And always a caregiver for whomever is broken.

I love making others laugh and smile.
For strangers, I’m known to get the extra mile.
For my friends, I’ll do everything it takes
To heal them when I see their hearts break.

When hurt blindsides them and nothing’s right
I’ll come running in the middle of the night,
But some days life won’t let me be happy,
And I’m eaten alive by stress and anxiety.

I’m sometimes overwhelmed with great depression.
Those days come lately in rapid succession.
I try to act like I don’t really hurt,
But today my back’s raw, I can’t give you my shirt.

Maybe I am feeling sorry for myself,
But it’s hard when I’m not doing so well.
At times I hurt, I cry and I bleed,
And then all I want is a caregiver for me.

A. S. Cheshire