In the next few weeks, continuing through the new year into 2021. Oddball Magazine will be supporting the Oddball Foundation’s mission to put the spotlight on mental health during this holiday season and long winter, with the You are Never Alone campaign. We welcome you to join us to shed a light on mental health awareness during this time, spread hope, and let people know You Are Never Alone.

 

Today is the 21st of December.
And I sit down, on the gloomiest of days.
The snow weighs down the trees.
The roads are black and covered with ice.
The nights are dark, so much darker.
Especially when there are Christmas lights.
But mine don’t seem to work right.

Its been about 9 months, 13 days, 12 minutes, 3 seconds
since the quarantine began,
I have forgotten how to socialize, I haven’t seen many friends.
I guess, I am happy there is zoom, and I know gratitude,
I should feel it.
And maybe I do, but right now
my face frowns, and my body slouches.
My back is sore, and I am sick of couches.
And when I am done with this poem
I will still be alone, alone together, and she’s alone too,
In our happy home.

Today is the 21st of December.
And I feel sadness throughout my body,
That and I felt a drinks or two the day before.
I don’t know if it’s the sun, my friends, a basketball, or something else,
but I am missing something more.
Is it the books that I read, that are making me feel isolated
as each word is digested inside my mind?
Am I just running into brick walls every time I write?
Is this world a dream? Am I destined to dream but strike out when I play?
I don’t know what else I can feel right now,
but I guess my heart continue to beats,
So I am grateful today.

#YouAreNeverAlone

 

Jason Wright is the editor and founder of Oddball Magazine. His column appears weekly. His latest book is Train of Thought.