Poetry is therapeutic

I lower my pen to paper

And I don't have to pay one hundred-forty dollars for temporary peace of mind

Tears released 

Breath finally caught

I am whole

It is memory

The bad

Sobs of the depressed 

Habits of the anxious

Thoughts of the suicidal

It is also the good

Laughter with friends

Late night car rides

Dancing to your favorite song

It is life

It captures the very essence of everything around it

Civil rights 

Religion

Birth control 

That bitchy neighbor 

And your dysfunctional family 

It is us