“Oh she’s so brave”
Yes that’s what she needs
Compliments on her bravery
You show up seconds before the end of misery
Casting worried glances
Screeching how much you value life
Imploring “Hang on, you can fight this”
“You are so brave”
No, no fuck bravery, fuck your empathy
How about accepting those employment gaps
How about some unpaid leave
When her bed is not something she can leave
“We want long term commitment”
I bet you fucking do
“And we need someone steadfast”
Misspelled workaholic there, didn’t you?
Maybe she can lend her creative mind
To something that’s not weaving lies
But no, stigma to be side-stepped
Employability to be future-proofed
When will it end?
This feedback loop from hell
So here is an idea
Shut the fuck up about bravery
Accommodate better, our collective misery
Or stop with the pretense
Of valuing life and not, and not
What could be wrung out of its dying cells
Inspired by Sabrina Benaim — “Explaining My Depression to My Mother”