Once in a while this sadness covers my soul. It’s not like the other unwelcomed emotions because those are like little children throwing a tantrum. They can be easily ignored, quieted and put to sleep. Though they’re whiny, and kind of crazy, I can control them. I’m not intimidated by them. They are temporary, young and immature. However, this sadness is heavy and older. It wakes up from deep within and surfaces like dark smoke, clouding my spirit. My heart chokes, and I become blank. This sadness I know well, it’s an old friend that I don’t like at all, but she seems to like me. She strolls through slowly and painfully. I must acknowledge her presence, otherwise she’ll stick around much longer. I pat her on the back, and tell her it’ll be ok. I don’t fight her, I know better by now. Finally, she surrenders and hides again. Every time she comes, she wants to steal something: A dream, a happy memory, a grain of hope… her other name is Depression.