I sit on the couch.

Guilt filling every fibre of my being.

I have something to do.

Time sensitive,

however, I simply cannot get up.

Yes, my legs work,

my arms do too.

Does that mean my brain will let me function?

Alas, no.

I do not have it in me.

I know it’s hard to understand.

Don’t justify how easy it is,

because my brain says otherwise.

My brain is at full capacity.

It simply cannot add another task.

It will simply crash,

needing 5 business days to reboot.

It is not an excuse; it is a fact.

If I can’t, don’t make me feel guilty.

Know that my brain tells me I am useless,

far more harshly than you ever could.

Joanne Macias is a multi-disciplinary creative, having featured in both online and print publications including Living Stories, Best of Times, The Sour Collective, Five Fleas Poetry, Short Stories Unlimited, Eloquentia and many more. Focusing on no set genres, she loves to challenge reader perception through unique scenarios in everyday settings. If not writing, she is either teaching poetry or being distracted by the neighbour’s cat. Follow her adventures at @joanne_macias_writer

Authors Notes: Neurodivergent individuals feel on many occasions that they just don't fit in. Not into the neurotypical mould that the world expects, and as such are 'punished' for their differences. This poem looks at life through the lens of a person with ADHD, finally at breaking point, where the reflection of who society thinks they should be does not match who stands before the mirror.