Depression Comes in Doses

I have an obscene obsession

in living a lie

Tangled in deception 

that real men don't cry

I cried a lot today

for reasons unknown

The tears, they don't seem to fade away

I feel incredibly alone 

There is happiness around me

of this I am certain

What the joyful fail to see

is the broken man behind the curtain

Feeling a different way

would make me an abnormal soul

Hate me every day

for having no control

Fixing what is broken

is a defeated task 

If you rip this facade open 

There's no smile behind this mask

Do I need permission to say goodbye

Is it too selfish to ask?

Honestly, who isn't afraid to die

Alas, my mind a prisoner to the task!

Author's Note

If you're feeling low, seek help, talk to someone. Life is hard, it can be harder on some compared to others, it is our duty as human beings to help hear out the difficult times and be the voice of reason for those hurting. Love and strength to all, together we shall overcome.

Reviews

[Carol Cashes]

"There is happiness around me
of this I am certain"

Don't you think a lot of this "happiness" you see around you is the same facade you have to hide that you have no smile? No one knows another's heart...

This was very good, but I was happier reading your Author's note and knowing it's not your current state of mind.

[KeeD]

Thank you Carol

[Mirror]

"This was very good, but I was happier reading your Author's note and knowing it's not your current state of mind"
True Carol.

[barleygirl]

There have been many postings here about feeling down, but I prefer when it’s an artful expression (like yours here) more than a raging mind dump. As a longtime sufferer of depression, I appreciate the way you make it feel kinda normal in your message, something we all suffer, some more than others. I love the way you frame the eternal myth about men not crying. Your impressions of depression are completely different from mine & I love the way you show us exactly how it feels for you with strong imagery & details. All in all, this feels like a friendly messenger & I believe in making friends with our darknesses (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Akash gaikwad]

Whenever I read a depression poem I always think about poet what he or she has gone through. People who write Poems on depression their poems should help them evolving in their life to overcome the depression. I hope this poem has helped you in overcoming your depression. Thanks for sharing the authors note.

[KeeD]

I take it day by day my friend, some days are better than others. Thank you for the visit and concerned review, much appreciated friend!

[Chris Shaw]

Loved your poem about a subject that hurts many. Depression is the pits. I am pleased that we are now living in an era where more men are beginning to talk about there feelings. There is no shame in crying regardless of what gender you are. Happiness isn't easy to find. It can be quite elusive, but when it does come, it is usually in the small things. That's the way is should be. I appreciate your author's note as well.

chris

[KeeD]

"Happiness isn't easy to find. It can be quite elusive, but when it does come, it is usually in the small things. That's the way is should be."

Couldn't have said it better, I apprecaite the fact that you read and understand the poetry I write rather than just reviewing for the sake of it. I know I just got to know you but I feel we connect creatively. Thank you for the insightful review

[Chris Shaw]

You are welcome

[Ms. Tutolo]

I love this. Absolutely love it. I love how it rhymes, I love how it's relatable to many, how it's so accurate it society today. The first verse is so completely accurate. I feel like most people feel this way at some point, at some time, and you succeeded greatly in putting these emotions into words!

[KeeD]

Really looking forward to reading your work, your reviews are really kind and worded so well, thank you for sharing in my creativity and for all the positive reinforcement, much appreciated.

[Mirror]

"....Do I need permission to say goodbye
Is it too selfish to ask?..."

This. it sounds suicidal. Hope 'am wrong?

[KeeD]

It definitely borders around the meaning of completely giving up yes, but it isn't a realistic option more an expression of my thought process at the time I wrote this poem. Thank you for your review friend

[workscot]

Dude,good thing you left the authors note,I'm a survivor of that road to ruin.Depression is the ultimate abyss.Your writing is remarkable and for me inspirational.In mid-May I tried to euthanize myself as I have an rare incurable form of lymphoma.I was thankfully unsuccessful but the psych and coroner were astounded by my full recovery.Six months from seventy I'd had enough of this worlds excrement.However my time was not,and writing has once again filled my world with wonder.So here's the deal,your young and by my standards incredibly talented so use what you got to change what you can and tolerate the rest.

[KeeD]

I'm glad to have you with us still, you're a new source of motivation and inspiration for me. Thank you for this review it's touched me in a way that surpasses distance and time. I know you mentioned that your affliction is incurable, but I'll still send out positive wishes and prayers for you and your family, thank you for helping me and other writers on here with your story, so we can learn to live and appreciate and fight for life. You're a trooper!

[Traci]

Such a powerful, emotional piece, written from the depths of one's soul. Beauty in pain emerges, as does light in times of darkness. My heart aches for all those who feel broken, battling depression. You are not alone. And neither are you dear poet. Much love and strength to you always.

[MomzillaNC]

There is a tyranny in “the way things should be…” in the expectations of a world demanding we conform. Sometimes, it seems to the best thing we can do is scream in the face of that conformity and be our own truth.

[FlatLineBeauty]

I could feel the pain and loneliness I feel so often just by reading this. Depression is a b***h. You have a wonderful way of just giving a glimpse of how one feels dealing with it. Although it made me feel broken... it was lovely. sometimes there is beauty in pain. I guess...

xo FLB

[KeeD]

Two broken pieces that don't quite fit together,life's cruel like that sometimes. Thank you for your kind review

[AYVID N]

Depression is a major killer now. Sadly, in times when we seem to have everything and should be happy. Perhaps what we have gained materially, we have lost spiritually. Beautifully written.

[KeeD]

Thank you Divya