I once was a light
An effervescence of
The life
The soul
The party itself

Full faced as the moon
Shining down on a world
Of brightening lives
Of smiles

It and I would last forever

Until

The extrovert looked
Inward
And saw the darkness that hid
The reality that feigned
The ocean washing away the smiles
In a tsunami of self doubt

The shine dulled
On a waning moon
A satellite setting
With no sun to take the baton

I once was a light

But now

I am not

How many of us put on a facade? How many are a cheeky, lively light in the darkness, but inside are locked away in a box with no light, no self-love and no air? Feeling suffocated and constantly in a darkness without end.

More than you would realise.

Mental health issues affect a growing number of people, and in so many cases, it's impossible to know that someone is a sufferer. As such, be kind. Be considerate. Be nice.