ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Then I thought…

Balancing the ups and downs each day has challenged me,
fighting blues and dark ravines is not how life should be.
Seeing people passing by in blasé normalcy,
question why it is that I from anguish can’t be free.

Counting on a little pill to get me through the day
balancing the chemicals inside the matter grey.
“Pull your socks up, shake it off, think positive,” they say,
but they don’t know it’s not my choice that I should feel this way.

But now I think…

I’m glad I held on to a hope so faint but not devoid
I’m glad I waited patiently for help to be deployed.
Fortify the balance and adjust the status quo,
now to be in normalcy no longer ruled by woe.

Hi Owly,
Well constructed and well written Owly, on a difficult subject.

Cheers Terry

PS I decided to delete my rather weak attempt at humor

good on you Wendy - only way is up...whether or not it is a true story you have captured the black Dog well here. Those little pills can be a godsend. Good writing

Cheers

Maureen.

G'day Owley,

Good to see you posting again after a long pause.
Yes, your poem has caught the 'fact' of some of the depressive states that people suffer. The 'fact' being that it is caused by a chemical im-balance in the brain. The problem often is that some of those who suffer this illness also believe they can stop medication. They are fine on the medication but once they stop they fall into the black hole again. Sometimes the doctors are right.

Love the poem. I tripped a little in reading the last line of the second stanze. Perhaps adding 'but' to the beginning of the line would adjust the metre. (it does for me anyway) All in all a delicate and positive poem tackling a big problem in our society. I am going to suggest a friend of mine look up the web site and read it. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you Zondrae,
You're right, I added the 'but'.
When I read it to myself I think I 'made' it fit.

Thanks also Terry and Maureen for your kind comments..
My dad is very involved in a group in Gunnedah called Active Minds.
It's a drop in centre where often a chat over a cuppa is good medicine.

Wen

Good one Owley, we need more of these centres and careing people like your Dad.
Cheers
Sue

Good on you Owley. Talking about it makes it a part of the "normal" spectrum. We take pills for every other conceivable illness that we cannot control - depression is no different!

Onwards and upwards girl!

Heather