I'm not lazy;
I'm just tired,
Just figuring out 
What months of pain rewired.
"You're healed," everyone says,
When I'm surviving each day 
with constant malaise.
I don't have energy like you do;
Let me rest longer, for an hour or two.
The time stolen from my teenage,
I'm unable to function like people my age.
I want to be productive,
And I try,
Pushing my limits 
Even after I cry.
With sudden burst of energy,
I burn myself to the core;
After that, I feel even more exhausted 
Than before.
Treat me as something fragile;
For once, please do.
I'm not that strong;
I never wanted to.
I'm stuck in the loop:
Too tired to work, too guilty to rest.
Please see past the smile,
Past the score of a test.
Weariness claims my thoughts, 
and sinks into my bones.
The power I'd lost, my own strength,
It disowns.
Unaware of what
Making it through alive would cost. 
People forget so soon; 
Their care exhausts.  
With every condition, with each dent,
Mind and body, I am utterly spent.
How peaceful is rest, 
After all the despair.
Let me cherish it for longer;
I won't be dormant forever, I swear.
Believe in me, I'll tune;
Please don't expect me to thrive so soon.
I don't expect you to understand it all;
From my perspective, try once to feel.
Please give this child 
Some time to heal. 

-Aditi Hayaran (Larkspur)