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.