General

Inspired by Reena’s Exploration Challenge #234 & Eugenia’s Weekly Prompt – Morning Fog

like the morning fog rolling in
this space between us
dampens the tonal quality of expression

what once was a volume-filled environment
has become silence weighted down
conversation consists of minor and
inconsequential snippets of banal noise

i yearn for spontaneous outbursts
thoughtful and articulated utterances
to spark a signal of trust again

make this isolation go away
make the air around us breathable again
communicate depth and some meaning
into this lackluster connection

Isolation, Communication, Conversations

2020, COVID, and the following months of isolation have caused more mental health issues to lack of communication. We talked on Zoom, but didn’t go to work. Our normal lives changed.

It isn’t to say that mental health didn’t exist before that time. It can be a taboo conversation. Many will not reveal they are suffering from depression because they are afraid of the repercussions. What will others think of them?

It is important we talk about anxiety, depression, and not be afraid to admit weakness. When we talk, communicate, then and only then can something be done about it.

I can see there is change, and the younger generation are more able to admit to being anxious. It is through talking, gaining strength from others that problems become easier to handle.

Depression, anxiety, is nothing to be ashamed of.

When you break a leg, it will…

Humans evolved being around others and because of this, we all tend to benefit from interacting with others.  Most people are social creatures and for this reason, social media is doing well.  People want to express themselves and they try to get involved in open discussions.  Most people are willing to take a stand on issues that are bothering all of us and social media gives them the platform to promote their ideas.  People also need some alone time and by getting time by themselves, this helps them to focus, so solitude is important.  Being alone shouldn’t be a bad thing, but it does have pros and cons.  Loneliness and social isolation are also associated with increased blood pressure, higher cholesterol levels, depression and this can lead to a lack of sleep and exercise, and even affect our immune system.  If all these things aren’t bad enough, it also decreases…

These are the things they don’t tell us:

• Where we’re going.
• How long the journey is
• What we’ll do when we get there

They tell us why we’re being sent. We are misfits, troublemakers, boat-rockers. We are not wanted here. We’re not criminals – oh no – and this is not punishment. This is opportunity.

Gossip, of course, is rampant. One group thinks we’re being trained for extreme cold. One groups thinks we’re being fed birth control pills. Pink haired Jaine thinks we’re going to be saving the planet.

Me? I listen. I watch. I notice who gets the best seat, who takes the first potato, who takes the last slice of cake. Who glances at their neighbour. Who laughs too much. Because I don’t know where we’re going, but I do know that when we get there, I’m going to survive. I’m going to thrive.

A 144 word flash…

These are the things they don’t tell us.
– Girl Du Jour, from Notes on Uvalde

I’m floating up, out of the operating room ceiling, through walls, the roof of the hospital, and into the night sky. Drowsy in the black expanse, I feel warm in a giant palm that closes around my nakedness. My hospital gown flutters down and away, a falling flag of surrender.

I awake in a sycamore tree whose limbs drape over the moonlit headstone of my grandparents. I hear what sounds like laughter — but more like tinkling glass — above me and look up. They are birds of a species the living have never seen; yet they aren’t birds. I know them.

These are the things they don’t tell us. Earth is a closed system with myriad dimensions to it. Depending on where you are in your cycle will determine where your consciousness exists…

33 words

Acknowledgements :- Thank you Reena Saxena for hosting Reena’s Exploration Challenge #233. The above picture is the prompt. For rules please refer here. Thank you all for stopping by and reading.

Look what the past dragged in
Grains of truth wait to be winnowed
Anger grumbles in unvoiced angst
Mounds of regret sulk forgotten
Apologies lie locked in vaults of silence
Nostalgia strokes half a wound
Hesitant footsteps shuffle ashamed
When blue skies and sunrays 
unfurl a picnic day
We draw the blinds and squander it away

Mindfills for Reena’s exploration challenge, Fandango’s FOWC – apology