A Knowing Smile

Hi my name is Paul
I have an illness of the mind
It’s called anxiety and depression
I have had this illness all of my life
I have had to cope in isolation
With no one to help me through desperate times
That is until I discovered
Mind in Gateshead

From the first time I walked through the door
With my emotions out of control
And my screaming and crying for all to see
What a strange reception I received

No one frowned upon my rantings
No one looked the other way
No one starred at eyes so red

How strange I felt among strangers
I was taken to a room of privacy by a special person
Known as a volunteer who gave her time to me
A total stranger who diligently listened
To my innermost feelings
And when we were disturbed by another stranger
With a cup of tea just for me

I felt safe for she was no stranger
But a fellow user with a knowing smile
Accepting me in to her family
At
Mind in Gateshead
And now I have that knowing smile
Just waiting to welcome you all to my special family
Hope to see you soon