Clearing

It forced its way into my mind uninvited,
Shattering every single thought,
Twisting and distorting the truth.
I couldn't move,
I couldn't make it to the other side.
My cultured friends were waiting there for me,
Waving and cheering, calling out: “You can do it, beautiful,
We’re waiting for you!”
After a few days, I was still stuck in place;
Thoughts scattered across the field,
Nothing could budge them, not even my will.
Entangled in shame, disgust, and regret.
Finally, after taking too many meds at once –
Because why not?
After all, I didn't know
Which one would work –
I saw a light emerging from the forest clearing.
Squirrels and ravens showed me the way
To safety, never to look back
At the place that had led my soul to ruin.
And no one noticed, only me.
And now, to my surprise,
All the delicious morsels of knowledge belong solely to me,
And they should regret not seizing them for themselves.