Therapy (Speakeasy #159)

“You have to address your demons to be a better you,” the woman with the degree and certifications framed on her wall said to me.

“I don’t have demons,” I responded with an air of indignation.

She snorted. “Unbroken people don’t come to my office.”

Sly, coy, like a silver fox, my defects

lurked in the depths of my subconscious.

Unchallenged, they roamed my inner recesses at will.

The mere mention of finding them roused them from slumber,

their golden eyes peering at me from under heavy lids.

I would like to say the concentrated introspection,

light-shining,

soul-searching

demon-hunting

resulted in my cure- my becoming “whole”.

I would like to say

I conquered my biggest vice;

that it fluttered for a moment,

magnificent in its struggle,

then wilted and lay still.

Alas, I sat crouched in the room,

lit only by the bluish glow of the microwave clock,

12:34 illuminating my secret- mocking me

as I unwrapped another candy

pilfered from an unattended Easter basket.

Shame emanated from the pastel papers

I buried in the garbage,

like a kitty covers her waste.

Vices, one.

Me, zero.

I reminded myself tomorrow would be different.

I journaled that I’d had a “good” day.

I brushed my teeth and slipped into bed;

the sting of truth soothed by

milky chocolate and denial.

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This is my response to the Speakeasy weekly writing prompt, which is to write a piece in 750 words or less (mine is 219 words) and (1) include some reference to the media prompt,  a painting of a silver fox, by John James Audubon, and (2) use the following sentence anywhere in the piece:  “It fluttered for a moment, magnificent in its struggle, then wilted and lay still.”

We are in the middle of ‘family free’ writing on Yeah Write, so I wanted to make a special note to reiterate that this is purely fiction.  I’ve not made any attempt to address my ‘issues’ through therapy.  Also, although we do have Easter baskets of candy around here, I don’t graze from them…. I bought my own candy a few days after Easter for 75% off  😛

I may or may not eat chocolate late-night, but I never bother to bury the wrappers.  I have no shame!

The challenge is open to anyone, so if inspiration strikes, click the badge below to find out how to link up to the fun 🙂