Optimistic Pessimist

I’m an optimist who fell into a pool of pessimism
It coats my skin, drips from my mouth
Like a stream of water
My clothes stick to me
Stiffened and scratchy
Positively irritating
Causing me to spout halfhearted complaints
Things I don’t personally believe in
But I need to express
What do I have other than pessimism?
Pessimism is all that is left
But
Still, at the center of it all
Optimism remains
I can feel it
Like a small lit candle in a dark cold room
But I’m unable to reach it
Unable to feel it’s warmth
I’m an optimist who fell into a pool of pessimism
But now pessimism is all I know