T Minus Two Type Two Diabetes and Other Passions

Discouragement: a Poem

Discouragement
can come upon me in a rush,
grasping at the throat of my peace --
choking off ambition
choking off change
choking off hope.

Discouragement,
more usually, however,
creeps in around the corners of my mind.
Knowing the way well, he requires no light,
Has no need to alert me to his presence
Before his bags are fully unpacked.

Discouragement
likes to wear disguises
to defer the moment of recognition.
Most often he borrows the solemn raiment of Realism,
but sometimes disgraces the sacred robes of Humility,
defiling the cloth with his lies.

Discouragement
is not invincible.
He can often be defeated
by laughter, by love, or by prayer.
But seldom can you dislodge him
Before you know who he is.