I'm Writing Poetry Again

I'm writing poetry again, I am.
I've done it once or twice before
and then I had a breakdown
and I couldn't write much anymore.

But when I'm in the mood I can
and, God, what moods are mine to bear,
of sorrow and elation, anger, joy and fear,
and dreadful, empty nothingness
or, sometimes, quiet calm,
needing reassurance,
meaning noone harm.

I'm writing poetry again
but little else has changed;
a diagnosis here or there,
I've trimmed my beard and shaved my hair,
I'm quieter and tend to care.

- by Prajna Pranab, 1998