“What is numbness?”

The successful hard-working business man inquires.

“Tell me what sadness is.”

Requests the grade-driven student.

“Please don't feel alone.”

Begs the affluent therapist.

I respond with no reason not to.

“Numbness is like a broken clock,

whose gears are moving forward mechanically

but whose hands keep bouncing back,

back to the same location.”

I shrug to the business man.

“Sadness is an addiction.

A drug to be consumed as oil is applied

to the gears in an effort

to make the hands move.”

I explained methodically to the curious student,

raising my voice.

“That's just it sir. I can't explain

how I feel because I don't.

I'm surrounded by people who care!

They are their own illusion!”

I cry to the therapist.

Dr. Smith rises.

Before he leaves for another month he writes on his clipboard:

“Patient 1026 not responding to medication.

Suggested treatment:

He never returned.