I am leaving the manic depressed community
I am very sad.
The manic depressed community has been my home for 38 years. It has been my family - the place I have run to when everything goes wrong.
I am very sad.
'Where will you go?' asks the manic depressed community
'I am not sure' I reply 'but I know I will be okay'
The manic depressed community all shake their heads and look at each other in a very worried fashion 'but why are you leaving us?'
'Because it is time' I say, fighting the tears that sting my eyes like salt and vinegar crisps on a unhealed hair-lip 'I need to leave this community and spread the faith'
'Jesus' they all sigh in perfect unison
'Yes' I say 'just like the sweet baby Jesus and his God stuff, I too have a message of hope and salvation for the lost and the lonely and the not right in the head'
'What will you say?' they ask
'I will say ... I have beaten my demons ... and so can you ... all you need is faith in yourself ... and a bloody good psychotherapist'
The manic depressed community all nod their heads profusely.
'Right' I say, standing at the edge of the manic depressed community garden, waiting for my taxi to arrive 'it's time'
'Good luck' I hear them cry, as I enter the taxi 'don't forget us'
'I will never forget you' I shout back
'Where to?' asks the taxi driver
'The real world' I joyously smile, 'take me to the real world'
