Runaway Train

I've never been able to grasp it:
Reality in all its intricacies.
So I stumble through life
Puzzling over its mysteries.
Perhaps I focus too much on myself.

Today I spoke on the telephone
To a woman who says she self- harms:
Drinks bleach at certain times.
I tried to remain calm and helpful.
She said she was receiving help.

I thought I was the only one with problems.
But this information shook me into
Thinking somethong else.
My managers seemed to think
I was overreacting.
When I expressed concern.

**Shrug**
What do you do when people
Open their heart
Express their feelings
About who they are?
She said she has flashbacks of trauma
And I have flashbacks of sorts
As I recall what she said to me:
The trauma she'd experienced.

I suppose as we live our lives
We trip and fall, questioning why.
And so each of ends up
Bearing scars
And these increase over time.

MDC