Drift, dream
slip, scream...

You thought it was over.
Victory.
But even with truths written to heart cores,
there can be a haunting.

The voices are calligraphy without end,
scribbles on the walls of your mind.
They remind you who, what, why
you should be beautiful and thin,
sexy enough, smart enough,
more dangerous, but never spotlight-caught,
and perfectly seeing and wise—

Just as each voice says their piece,
by golly,
they start back up again.

You roll into blue cushion,
tucking a pillow into your chin.
You feel a hand on your back,
hear a voice, warm like summer wind:

"Open your eyes, lovely!!!
It's time to start again.
There's a whole wide world out there—
not to mention, hanging out with your friends!"

"But I'm so tired.
I wanna sleep."
You roll over to see his perfect face.

"Tired though you may be,
there's nothing like some Vitamin D
and a quick jog to find your rhythm again!"

You groan.
"Don't make me."

He grins devilishly
and yanks you by the arm, hard.
"Up and at 'em, it's time for some pep!
Repeat after me, let's go step-by-step!"

He's pulls you to your feet now,
As his blue-haloed face grins on and on.
He stretches his arms over his head;
you mimic the movement with a yawn.

"Ok, after me...
I'M AWAKE!"

You grimace.
"I'm awake."

"I'M ALIVE."
"I'm alive...."

"AND I. FEEEEEL. GREAT!!!"
As he says these last four words,
he leaps in the air like a star.
You can't seem to get the words out—
because you're suddenly laughing so hard.

He smirks, repeats, looks to see if you see.
And there you are: more giggling.

He folds his arms, happy as can be.
"I know the heavy is real, my friend.
I know the blue of despair.
But you may be shocked to learn for yourself...
how laughter helps you let go enough
to find strength again to care."

You sigh, a sad smile.
"But that doesn't answer all the lies,
the burning questions,
the accusations and expectations
that make me absolutely paralyzed."

He shakes his head.
"No. Silliness isn't a sage source.
For that, you are certainly right.
But sometimes rather than fighting with words,
I'd rather laugh so hard that I cry."