MANTRA TO OVERCOME DEPRESSION
Vitamin D. Sunlight. Go outside. Get a good night
of sleep. Not too good.
Not shades drawn forever good. Not like you used to.
Open the windows.
Buy more houseplants. Breathe. Meditate. One day,
you will no longer be
afraid of being alone with your thoughts.
Exercise. Actually exercise
instead of just Googling it. Eat well. Cook for yourself.
Organize your closet, the
garage. Drink plenty of water and repeat after me:
I am not a problem
to be solved. Repeat after me: I am worthy I am worthy
I am neither the mistake nor
the punishment. Forget to take vitamins. Let the houseplants die.
Eat spoonfuls of peanut butter.
Shave your head. Forget this poem. It doesn’t matter.
There is no wrong way
to remember the grace of your own body; no choice
that can unmake itself.
There is only now, here, look: you are already
forgiven.