Strait jacked

Sometimes, for no reason sadness
wraps me like a straitjacket
squeezes my chest, chokes the breath
from my lungs in short, shallow gasps

At first I struggle to escape
its grip but it tightens
like a Chinese bamboo finger puzzle
so I straighten up and breathe deep

Only to feel the waters rise up
from the well of my heart
spill out of eyes, nose and mouth
with waves of spasmodic strangled sobs

I cry for mercy, mercy on my soul
not even knowing what I’ve done
to deserve this cold
shoulder from the gods

if they’re even there
and if so, even care
about one more mere mortal
shuffling off his coil