The world around him moves at a dizzying pace,
Days blur into nights, time slips through his grasp.
But for him, time stands still, each moment an eternity,
Trapped in this darkness, unable to break free.
The darkness descends like a heavy cloak,
Wrapping around his shoulders, suffocating his hope.
No one seems to notice, no one seems to care,
As he struggles through each day, fighting this silent despair.
His loved ones go about their lives, unaware of the pain,
Unable to see the turmoil that rages inside his brain,
He puts on a brave face, he smiles and nods and pretends,
But inside he is screaming, his heart on the mend.
He struggles to concentrate, his thoughts a jumbled mess,
He feels like a burden, a failure, a hopelessness.
He loses interest in the things that used to bring him joy,
He feels isolated, disconnected, a mere shadow of a boy.
He fights with his partner, his patience wearing thin,
He snaps at his children, his temper frayed within.
He pushes away his friends, his energy sapped and drained,
He feels like a shell, an empty vessel, his soul feigned.
Meet Gabriel, a man like any other,
A husband, a father, a friend to his brother,
But behind closed doors, he's consumed by the gloom,
Feeling lost and alone in a world that assumes.
He tries to reach out, to ask for some aid,
But the words get stuck in his throat, afraid of the judgment and the blame.
So he suffers in silence, a prisoner of his mind,
Hoping that someday, he'll be able to leave this behind.
Melancholy is a cruel and cunning foe,
It steals the light and the joy, leaving one feeling low
But there is hope; there is a way out,
If one just reaches out, if one lets oneself shout.
The road to recovery may be long and winding,
Full of ups and downs, twists and turns that can be blinding.
But don't give up, don't lose sight of the light,
Hold on to hope, and you'll eventually win the fight.
It takes strength to face the struggles we endure,
But strength can be found in vulnerability, of that I am sure.
So let go of the shame, and let go of the fear,
And let the love and support of those around you draw near.
Remember, you are not defined by your struggles,
You are so much more than the pain that huddles
Inside of you, threatening to take over,
But with help and support, you can rediscover
The joy and happiness that life has to offer,
And leave the silent struggles behind forever.
So don't be afraid to ask for help,
To share your struggles and your pain.
There are those who care, who will listen and understand,
Who will be there for you; hand in hand.