Life is unbearable
Then, it is not
It’s like walking on sandpaper coping with the pain of emotions of every moment
Waning on you, everyday
Wearing away on you, everyday
Into a person you hardly recognize, anymore
Who are you?
Existing on this plane, hollow inside
You are not your feelings
Overbearing, heavy or empty
Does anyone live life restfully?
If so, how?
Is there anybody out-there?

Let me tell you a story…
There is a black dog
Hanging around your house
Gnawing, biting, growling, barking and stalking
You
It never leaves
You
Throw it a bone
And it still bites
You
Walk away and you still hear it…
Clawing
Still taste it…
Chewing
Still sense it…
Taunting
It is a beast
You smile through it
You mope through it
You laugh through it
You carry on about your day
Functioning
Breathing
Eating
Showing up to work late
Brushing your hair
Crying in your car
And so it is…
A loyal companion
That never leaves your side
The black dog is your closest enemy
You don’t want
It’s not up for adoption
Because it belongs to you
You must slay it, yourself
Perhaps tame it
Or it will eat you alive
More than it already has
You cry out for help
But you’ve been crying all the time
So your tears mean nothing, anymore
To nobody
But you do mean everything to somebody
Although you bare it, alone
You feel alone…with it
You don’t want to cradle…it
You want it gone
It feels as though this damn dog is gonna stay
Stay for good
Forever, maybe
Why must you go on like this…
With that black dog on your back?
Because…
You mean everything
To someone
Somebody
Means everything to you
Someone keeps you going
Going on for miles
Miles & miles of shit piles,
For you.

Photography by Andrew Brockerhoff

Instagram: drewbr0ck