lenten journal: depression

I’ve carried this idea with me for a couple of days, hesitant to share because of the gravity of the loss for the families of those who were killed in the plane crash in the Alps. I decided to risk it nonetheless.

for all of the tragedy
that has marred human history
there are few satisfactory
explanations we have learned
that offer comfort instead of
blame. I’ve listened the experts
say there is evidence he was
depressed, and so he crashed the plane—
as though that would make things better.
I felt my heart sink under the weight
of their words because I know too
well the darkness visible; I’ve
done my time in the valley of
the shadow, and have seen many
faces there that I recognize.
I don’t know what happened in the
Alps, or what it feels like to be
a loved one searching for answers.
I do know what it’s like to be
trapped in the dark, hoping someone
will find a way to break down the door.

Peace,
Milton