Nathan Nobbe

Changing Beds

Being happy is a scary thought.
It means leaving behind an old friend,
An old friend named unhappiness.
We have shared so much time with him,
Have always found a sense of security
In the familiarity of his embrace.
To step out with happiness,
We have only allowed this at short intervals
Before feeling like an unfaithful lover
And running back to the comfort of his bed.
To wake up happy?
Oh my, this would be a bit like standing
At the edge of a cliff.
At the edge of a cliff with no confidence
In a sense of balance to be able
To remain there.
Ah yes, to remain wrapped in the snug
Blankets in the dark bed of unhappiness.
Much easier to do.
But why then complain of the plight,
To blame unhappiness for the comfort we feel.
We have chosen again his company through fear.
Goodbye we must say. Goodbye we must say.
And never, never look back.

{Poem by Nathan Nobbe}