When my mother turned 50
She got depressed
could not get out of bed
Refused to eat
She thought she had cancer
Knew she was dying, that’s how bad she felt
When the doctor said she was fine
She snarled at him
Unbelieving.
He showed her the tests, the x-rays, the labs
The doctor recommended a pill
And a course of psychotherapy.
my mother got out of bed
started eating again.
Signed up for psychotherapy
After a few months of weekly visits
She declared herself cured.
But for the next thirty years took the pill
Just as a precaution.