When someone is drowning in water
We jump in and pull them out
Sometimes many
Using all their strength
Fighting against currents and odds
Risking their own lives
To save another
We see the imminent danger so clearly
We think of their lives and their loved ones
We acknolwedge that we need to keep them in this world.
We never question who they are or what they have done
We just act.
..
..
So why is it
When someone is drowning in the thoughts they cannot escape
When they are consumed by the terrors of life
And plagued by their own mistakes
Pushed so far to the edge of ther mind.
We look them dead in the eye and tell them to call us if they need us, and turn to walk away.
..
..
All around us we bare witness to drownings.
Souls moving by each second just to dodge a permanent decision.
Alone.
They gasp for air. In a room full of water with just enough space for their nose to touch the ceiling.
Freely.
And if we could see it, we would swim to the bottom and pull the drain plug.
We would organize, not stand idly by.
But we become so enveloped in our own room that we forget to truly imagine the horrors others may be seeing in theirs.
We never open the door to see what's inside
And they could never open it without invitation, because when you're drowning, your judgement drowns too.
You forget that the other person has a room to hold water for you.
..
..
People can be bailers.
We can hold each other
In hugs and carry the burden of each other's sadness.
We can peak inside the rooms of ones we love
Knock on their doors and let them know you have space in your room to catch their overflow.
And if it's too much, I will swim to the bottom with you and drain it all.
Acknowledging that drowning in the mind's pool, is the same as drowning in the ocean.
Except one is often a lot more lonely way to go.
