Mental Illness Protip
When I say I have bipolar
by all means, ask which kind.
Thank you for actually thinking and not
just dismissing me.
but protip:
When I answer “Type two"
do not say “Ok, that’s ok then."
because I’ll think-
what does that mean?
Ok because I’m not crazy?
Not full brown manic?
just type two?
Or ok because
it’s ‘easier’ to live with
as if the stigma’s not the same
the shame’s not the same
the inability to control
my heart
is not the same?
It’s ok because I’m not suffering
not compared to
others?
It’s ok because
"it’s not so bad"
not so bad that I rapid cycle
don’t know what dawn brings
not so bad.
It’s ok.
Protip: If that’s what you have to say
about the thing
that rules me
chains me down
sends me through
deep water
dark fire
that leaves me out of breath
shake-sobbing
that throws me from cliffs
into a phoenix flight
I’d rather
you not say anything at all.
