When People Ask How I'm Doing by Rudy Francisco

Written in 2017.

I want to say,

my depression is an angry deity, a jealous god
a thirsty shadow that wrings my joy like a dishrag
and makes juice out of my smile.

I want to say,

getting out of bed has become a magic trick.
I am probably the worst magician I know.

I want to say,

this sadness is the only clean shirt I have left
and my washing machine has been broken for months,

but I'd rather not ruin someone's day with my tragic honesty
so instead I treat my face like a pumpkin.

I pretend that it's Halloween.
I carve it into something acceptable.
I laugh and I say,

"I'm doing alright."