Chris Rathburn

My new book Wayward Wyrd is out! It's a dark fantasy about a magical boy trying to escape slavery with a human hybrid girl trying to escape extermination. Both are looking for a place where they can live in peace. Together, they might have a chance. amazon.com/Wayward-Wyrd-C…

Getting through the day Only a little better Than the day before But every tiny fragment Is closer to being whole Words: Mine Image: AI, based on my words. #WritingCommunity #poetry #tanka #mentalhealth #depression #anxiety

Little oddities That cannot be kept inside Harsh realities These idiosyncrasies That I don't know how to hide Words: Mine Image: AI, based on my words. #WritingCommunity #poem #poetry #tanka #mentalhealth #depression #anxiety

Come alive again Like I didn't know I could Though I'm on the mend It doesn't feel like I should Worries won't end; wish they would Words: Mine Image: AI, based on my words. #WritingCommunity #poem #poetry #tanka #mentalhealth #depression #anxiety

Everything shrank down When my body went to hell And now I'm healing But full of anxiety As life gets bigger again Words: Mine Image: AI, based on my words. #WritingCommunity #poem #poetry #tanka #mentalhealth #depression #anxiety

Tired all of the time Like whatever vital thing That I used to have Just isn't there anymore And I'm running on the dregs Words: Mine Image: AI, based on my words. #WritingCommunity #poem #poetry #tanka #mentalhealth #depression #anxiety

Remember, let go Everything and everyone I have ever held Was only borrowed awhile None of it was ever mine Words: Mine Image: AI, based on my words. #WritingCommunity #poem #poetry #tanka #mentalhealth #depression #anxiety

Fading and threadbare But still so comfortable There's some wear yet left Hang on a little longer It'll break when it's ready Words: Mine Image: AI, based on my words. #WritingCommunity #poem #poetry #tanka #mentalhealth #depression #anxiety

Remember stillness When I only want to move Find the quiet place Hidden among the clamor Where I can finally stop Words: Mine Image: AI, based on my words. #WritingCommunity #poem #poetry #tanka #mentalhealth #depression #anxiety

Pulling together The pieces that matter most But they don't all fit So we learn to do without Some things we thought we needed Words: Mine Image: AI, based on my words. #WritingCommunity #poem #poetry #tanka #mentalhealth #depression #anxiety

However it is There's a way to keep going Even if there's not I won't ever know for sure Unless I choose to believe Words: Mine Image: AI, based on my words. #WritingCommunity #poem #poetry #tanka #mentalhealth #depression #anxiety

Now there's something here A little glowing ember But it's uncertain Will it just burn itself out What will char if it doesn't Words: Mine Image: AI, based on my words. #WritingCommunity #poem #poetry #tanka #mentalhealth #depression #anxiety

A few honest words Is a decent thing to leave For someone to find They might never have met me But we are of the same mind Words: Mine Image: AI, based on my words. See also MC Escher's Bond of Union #WritingCommunity #poem #poetry #tanka #mentalhealth #depression #anxiety

Become so little It doesn't seem possible That I used to think There was much of anything Ever there to begin with Words: Mine Image: AI #WritingCommunity #poem #poetry #tanka #mentalhealth #depression #anxiety

It's been a tough time Sicker then I've ever been Rendered this helpless It can't help but change my life I am humbled and grateful Words: Mine Image: AI #WritingCommunity #poem #poetry #tanka #mentalhealth #depression #anxiety

@just_gracie7 Huzzah!

@Apotheosystem That's great to hear!

Feeling like myself For the first time in a while I've got energy It's got me a bit giddy Like Gollum with a fresh fish Words: Mine Image: AI #WritingCommunity #poem #poetry #tanka #mentalhealth #depression #anxiety

Medication change Maybe this will be the one That balances out The things that are wrong with me And I'll feel more like myself Words: Mine Image: AI #WritingCommunity #poem #poetry #tanka #mentalhealth #depression #anxiety

I have lost my voice To this lingering sickness All I do is sleep Whoever I was before Seems impossible today Words: Mine Image: AI #WritingCommunity #poem #poetry #tanka #mentalhealth #depression #anxiety

Last night was dodgy, but I'm alright. Wrote a few lines in the ER: Hospital waiting It's not scary anymore Whatever happens I've had a pretty good run Everyone gets a lifetime Words: Mine Image: AI #WritingCommunity #poem #poetry #tanka #mentalhealth #depression #anxiety

Sleep deprivation Is starting to mess with me Hopefully tonight I can get the rest I need To feel like myself again Words: Mine Image: AI #WritingCommunity #poem #poetry #tanka #mentalhealth #depression #anxiety #MentalWellness