I AM MENTAL ILLNESS.

My name is mental illness

I've been around since man was created

Many different names have been given to me 

In the past loony, nutter, village idiot were used in the society 

To describe WHO I AM.

Seven years ago 

At seventeen hours

Past seventeen minutes

Seventeen seconds 

And seventeen microseconds

For the seventh time 

On the seventh day I .. became ...sophisticated

I'm now labeled depression, manic and obsession

By people who have lived with me

To know my capabilities.

Guess what! I'm spreading like a infection

That deserves instant prescription

And healing medication 

And all nations deserve protection

To the future generation

You've a life that you think you own 

But I would like to remind 

When I strike I pay no regard for who you are

Or what you've achieved in the society

I take you rich or poor 

I take you beautiful or ugly regardless of the colour or creed

Fame will not protect you from my reach 

It's only a matter of time 

I know no boundaries.

You've gathered here today to promote awareness of my destructive power

But also how I can be conquered 

I would like to assure you- I can be conquered

But only of you find the key to my mystery

Which is within you.

The key is that it's OK to tell others that 

I've come to live with you without your permission

That I'm pain to live with you 

I've brought you stigma 

I've taken away who you are and your dreams for the future 

I've given you a new identity.

But do not loose hope 

Remember I can be conquered

Consistent unconditional love expressed

In a genuine manner you'll lessen my sting 

When I'm in residence with you.

Do not judge those whose lives I've claimed

Until you've walked in their shoes

Be mindful to the needs, hopes and dreams of those who live with me 

For I could be with you tomorrow! 

Let me advise you my fellow poets and writers 

Let me advise to be wise like a mice holding rice

To sensitize and rise against mental illness.

©Latif The Sacred poet