A great write and well defined. Deeply sad yet so honest. I like the part "Until mental health broke through".

I had to read this twice, because I fell too much in love with wording the first time that I didn't get to thoroughly enjoy this poem.

The second time around it hit hard, and Maryanne, you often make up poems but if this is in any way something you have gone through or are going through, talk to me dang it!! Vent.

Anyways poetry wise,

No, this was her prayer, her way to serve a country
too frightened to stand on unshaken legs and opting
for shoulders to balance on instead.

^^^ what a great description and play on words of someone who has " a good head on their shoulders".

The depth so of highs poem is amazing to me because you can feel the deep pain and longing this person has, but it's not clearly shown. It's hidden, it makes your reader try and "read" what you are getting across, and my is it sad.

This is what of those poems where the topic, not even the poem itself, but the topic leaves me with nothing to say. It's I like I want to help the character and not focus on your poem. Haha.