The black dog

An analogy I used to describe depression to a friend that manifested

This is my first time so please bear with me, any comments would be gratefully received! hope you enjoy and here goes .......

The black dog

So here I am writing it down

Hope it will evolve, manifest, bring me a crown

Something at least to acknowledge the "smart"

Something that's valid, big, that say's "this girl gets art"   

I have kept it in for such a great length of time

it's grown taken over, like an unkempt greedy vine

I don't want it to overtake , fill me up 

drown me, suffocate....like the overflowing cup

The artist gets greedy and believe they're all knowing 

that's my experience what I have seen

but I guess that's my narrow mindedness showing

Wow, really? Am I that narrow minded that I judge each man

as a "doer" a "go getter" an oh so assured "I can"

I believed I was broader not to mention less judgemental

how foolish of me to think I had creative potential

I must apologise to my dear friend (lets name you) "Jim"

whom I drained and wore out until you gave in 

I hope when you wake your not heavy and dishevelled

Even if you do remember, get up, fix, and get yourself level

You came through "Jim" you came through the dark

you took a huge bite like that blood thirsty shark 

Now do you see how very strong you are?

Your passion, conviction ...it will take you so so far

When the black dog chews your things and irritates you so

take him to the field, unhook the lead, let him go

You would have by now, trained him well

To the extreme, you enjoy him, he brings you out of your shell

do you see now, he was never your enemy, just untrained 

and now look, from him, that internal knowledge has been gained

He came along, chose you and pitched up

no doubt at first you had thought "ugh, horrid, annoying and unwelcome mutt"

but since you have trained him and taken control isn't it marvellous

he is no black hole

When you have never had a dog before you'll understandably struggle to know how to train him

You may even think "good lord what are you for? what an earth am I gaining"

but sure enough when the heavy fog starts to clear

You quite quickly realize the poor mutt just needed you, someone dear

Now you have "inside" black dog info

Take the experience , turn in to something good, some huge educational show

Spread the word to those the black dog's chosen

Make sure fellow men know they will thaw no matter how severely frozen

now you look back, you realize it wasn't all dark, dull, gloomy nor black

now you feel love and happiness so much more and the reality is 

its because the black dog knocked on your door 

no doubt you look back at the hundreds that knocked before 

realistically you were afraid, scared to want to know more

granted we say "oh yes I know the black dog"

"I have been there done my time ...my lord what a slog"

The real test, in truth, was letting the black dog in 

he caused chaos a riot and managed it behind a telling grin

he was toying, musing, playing with your world

gladly causing trouble whilst watching your mind uncurl

it gets to the point where that black dog is going to bite

pull in your resources, muster strength, all your will to fight 

Begin with small, simple commands because if not you confuse him

you end up disarmed

A simple sit, stay, that will start you off well 

you need to lure him back, contain him, put him back in his shell

He needs commands, a master that's in control

an aim, easy start, small,  a simple very do able goal

Before you know it the black dog and you 

will be speaking the same language , every command he will do

his potential is now in front of your eyes 

his obedience to you, a monumental surprise 

You can look back now to the time he first came to you

to shake you, make you break and mould you

doubt your thoughts, beliefs, your ability's, such things you held dear

for him a risk and for the motive, massively unclear

He wouldn't go, would not leave you alone

he would not leave you poor mind in any peace

like oily hands, that "ugh, cant get it off" hard to clean, day old grease 

So celebrate, congratulate, pat yourself on the back

what a grand job you did, no longer the door mat 

the master the commander

now in control of that black dog

and Oh my goodness wasn't it worth that hard slog`

He adores you, he is loyal and does as he told

Because to him your life, your strength, and friendship

instills in him you are worth your weight in gold

Now is the part where you let him in

show him ultimate trust

he will repay you with loyalty and an absolute "I must"

as you have reached that place of mutual understanding

neither will find the other demanding, no longer bears heavy, hard work or emotionally grinding

the equilibrium has successfully been found 

You did it the master, bravely covered, completed the ground

Just make sure from here on in

Should the black dog knock..... you graciously welcome him in 

Daniella Bull

Author's Note

Apologies for any grammar/stroke punctuation mistakes.... opinion, guidence , general thoughts would be hugely appreciated