I don’t dwell in dark places.
What lurks in the recesses,
the lonely parts
of my mind, frightens
me more than monsters
haunting stuffed closets and
dusty under-beds.
~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-
Inspiration: I wrote this recently while struggling with the sadness that settles over me at times. I didn’t have a reason to be anything other than content, which is why this recurring ‘darkness’ gets to me. I don’t understand it, can’t explain it, and never know how long it will last, which is why I fear it. I wouldn’t exactly be thrilled to find a monster in the closet, but at least I can comprehend that… and would have a chance to beat it into submission 🙂
I hope you have a beautiful Monday. I’m glad you stopped by today!
JannaTWrites 
I can relate with this…i sometimes also find my self so sad! Having that feeling i wouldn’t last much longer….but then, i conquer and move on..its something i cant explain yet. Thanks for the post!
The sadness can be difficult, but I suppose we appreciate the joy more having gone through it. Glad you stopped by, fictionlimbo!
The pleasure was all mine…:)
I totally get this, been there too many times.
I wish you didn’t get this, Suzicate… thanks for reading!
Actually that darkness is something that sometimes is not really understandable.. something I dwell on a lot in my writing actually…
The darkness serves your writing well, Bjorn!
Sometime life, as good as it is, just gets us down especially with all the terrible things that happen arounds us, and so many other people trying to control our lives, making stupid decisions and then forcing us to live with the consequences of their lunacy. Those monsters are real and they just keep getting bigger and more oppressive.
Yeah, I try to avoid the news for that reason. It’s just too much… living with others’ stupid decisions- seems to be the new American way, Timothy 🙂
I think all truly creative people are prone to being sensitive to darkness sometimes. We tiptoe in, find it overwhelming, then flee for safety. But something compels us to go back, check out the monsters, and either convince ourselves they’re not real or do what we can to overcome them. At this time of year, I’ve found that LIGHT dispels the darkness — you can take that on a spiritual or a physical level! — and an increased dosage of Vitamin D helps immensely. Good luck with it, Janna!
Funny, I’ve actually been taking vitamin D fairly regularly for a few months. Well, about half the days I remember, which is really good for me! Here’s hoping for some light soon, Debbie 🙂
Since dark is the opposite of light, it is only natural that it ensues caution. But when there is a speck of light within that darkness, and the speck is fully concentrated on, then the darkness no longer is there. Now the dust under the bed, well, that’s another story 🙂
Haha, the dust under the bed drives me a little nuts (not a long drive, my husband says.) Now, to find that speck of light, Sean 🙂
The same happens to me, Janna. “Happy” is MIA and “Grumpy” or “Sad” steps in as an unwanted understudy.
I woke with an improved mood this morning. I think we spent too much time with too many people for too many days in a row . . . depleting my batteries.
Today . . . no holiday events. Just catching up at home. Aah . . . that’s better!
Unwanted understudy – I like that, Nancy. I don’t have social obligations as an excuse, but it’s been a really busy week with kids’ stuff. I don’t work between Christmas and New Year’s so maybe I’ll find my happy by then 🙂
Very engaging poem and excellent strategy for living consistently in victory. Rejecting dark thoughts prevents or drives off a state of sadness.
On the lighter side, my daughter once asked her brother to encourage her two young children because they were afraid of monsters in the closet. Her brother (my son) promptly threw himself bodily into the closet, yelled loudly, hit the walls and the doors, screamed and banged. Then he stepped out of the closet and told the children he’d taken care of the monsters and they were gone. My daughter told me about it. She said it wasn’t what she expected him to do. Ha. Blessings to you…
Thanks, Carol Ann. I really try not to dwell, but it can be hard sometimes. I love the monster eradication – very clever!
I really like this and can totally identify with it. I am in dark places a lot of the time. Simply depressed and dejected with no real reason why.
I’m sorry you can relate, Kathy. I think you are great 🙂
Brilliant. A tale of noir that can provide solace and shade of darkness:)
Thanks for stopping by to read this, Vishal. Hope you have a good week!
I can completely relate to that. It’s a powerful poem and for me it reinforced the fact I’m not alone. I’ve had a tough couple of weeks, but I’m determined not to be beaten – no matter how strong the fear I will go under. Thanks for sharing 🙂
I’m sorry you’re going through a tough time – I know you can beat it, Mel! Even though we feel alone, it is oddly comforting to know we aren’t the only ones that struggle.
Thanks, Janna. You’re so right 🙂
Writing can certainly help with these dark times, especially writing about the dark times. Depression is real, even if we have a good life. Self doubt can be overwhelming. Sometimes we doubt that we “deserve” the good. No logic. Hope that the better feelings are pushing away the dark.
Thanks, Chlost! It didn’t help that when I was already down, I got a rejection for one of my stories I submitted. Writing does help, but sometimes it pulls me in deeper, so it’s jut a matter of recognizing it and stepping away.
Sometimes those dragons in the closet are there to teach us something … of course, sometimes they’re just jerks. Hope you’re having a better time soon. 🙂
You make me laugh, Widdershins – jerky monsters 🙂 Haha!
Actually monsters really don’t care for closets and underbeds. Too far from the refrigerator.
Huh… I didn’t know that, Carl 🙂
There is something about the dark recesses of our minds that enables rumination and sets up never-ending cycles that doesn’t happen the same way in the light and breezy places – another one of those things in life that just isn’t fair. Hope the darkness has passed. At least you could scream at the monster in the cupboard and scare him away, hopefully.
Thanks, Sarah Ann. Still feeling a bit off, but am trying not to get sucked in too deep. True about the writing, though. I have a few stories in mind but am putting off writing them because I have to put myself in dark places to really feel the character. Will have to wait until I’m in a better place to go there 🙂
I’m convinced that the moods you speak of, that you fear, are mostly chemical imbalances that occur from time to time. I used to get depressed over nothing but never realized what was happening to me until one particular episode that made me seek out professional help. The answer was to put me on anti-depressants. I went cold turkey after having a meltdown while driving. I started reading self help books which all seemed to say the same thing only with different words. I now still have episodes, but they seem to be of much shorter duration. So, what I’m saying is that I don’t think prescription drugs are the answer. Reading helped me become more self aware.
Thanks for sharing your insight, Emilio. I would opt for education over medication any day. Many times, side effects are worse than the affliction being treated. As for my moods/darkness, there are other things at play that I need to address… ignoring them isn’t working so well for me.
Thank you for sharing. And, thank you for making the change that I mentioned. If you ever would like to discuss this situation that you discuss through email, this pastor will be glad to do so. Blessings to you, and may your new year be good for you.
Glad I could help with your request, ETS. I deleted your comments off my blog, but I still need to go back and read them more carefully so I can respond. I’ve got a friend visiting for another day or two, so my computer time is limited at the moment 🙂 Happy new year, by the way!
Thank you for being so kind. I trust that you will have a good time with your visitor and that your new year will be a good one. Many blessings to you.
Thanks for this. Emotions seem to be beasts of their own willing, and I too find them sometimes frightening. I like your new photo. It seems so peaceful.
I’m glad you like the new photo, Allen – I finally decided to try a new theme. Emotions can be overwhelming at times…
Wish I could stay out of the dark places in my mind. Nice poem!
It’s hard, Tessa. I’ve been lingering there for quite some time, now and I’m ready to not visit for a while!
Yes I can understand. I am trying to drag myself out of there myself.
Best to you, Tessa… I’ll keep you in my prayers 🙂