Carry Me

I don’t want to be a burden.

I tell myself that over and over,

like if I repeat it enough,

I’ll make myself smaller, lighter, easier to love.

But the truth is, I’m tired.

I want someone to carry me,

even just for a little while.

I want to stop pretending my shoulders

are strong enough to hold it all.

I want to stop smiling

when inside I’m sinking.

It doesn’t have to be forever

I don’t need someone to fix my whole life,

just to take my hand,

look at me,

and say, “You don’t have to do this alone.”

Because I’ve been alone with it for too long.

And it’s heavy.

So heavy some nights I lie awake

and wonder how I’ll lift it tomorrow.

I’m not asking for a rescue.

I don’t need saving.

I just need to be carried—

for a breath, for a moment,

long enough to remember

what it feels like not to drown.

-dmnd