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The content presented here is for informational or educational purposes only. These are just the authors' personal opinions and knowledge.
Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are based on the authors' lives and experiences and may be changed to protect personal information. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 

Lyrical Laments - 5. Chapter 5 DNA

Depression changes everything. It is a persistent force... there are good days and there are bad days. :) 

Lyrical Laments

 

 

Chapter 5 DNA

 

 

Life, at times

Gets messy

And spills beyond the pale

Leaving stains

On the porous fabric

Of our lives

Impossible to ignore

Yes, our protective shrouds

Can be cleaned

The visible offense eradicated

But there is always evidence

Left behind

In one form or another

Like the persistent DNA

Of creation itself

Sometimes it gives us

Determination

Dedicated passion

And serves as a welcome reminder

Of what to avoid

Oh, would that were all

But the reality can be quite different

The aftermath

Can send us into a tailspin

Where we’re caught up

In a vicious cycle

Of sadness and pain

That refuses to end

Someone smarter than me once said

What doesn’t kill you

Makes you stronger

Hard to believe

When you’re already living

What feels like a slow death

Thanks for reading. I'm doing all right. Poetry helps, as does writing in general. Cheers!
Copyright © 2017 Headstall; All Rights Reserved.
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The content presented here is for informational or educational purposes only. These are just the authors' personal opinions and knowledge.
Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are based on the authors' lives and experiences and may be changed to protect personal information. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 

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There are always bad days. If the bad days take over your life, that's when you should be worried. I know you've felt that way, my friend, and I'm glad you're on the road back. Try to avoid any detours ... ;)  :hug:

 

 

Edited by northie
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32 minutes ago, Albert1434 said:

Nice Poem Gary loved it:yes:

Thanks, Albert :hug:  :kiss: 

Edited by Headstall
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15 minutes ago, northie said:

There are always bad days. If the bad days take over your life, that's when you should be worried. I know you've felt that way, my friend, and I'm glad you're on the road back. Try to avoid any detours ... ;)  :hug:

 

 

I will, northie, try :hug:  :kiss: 

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Painful, but powerful words.  I think many people can relate to this is some way or another.  Like Parker, "Leaving stains on the porous fabric of our lives" really spoke to me as a metaphor..  You can clean up as best you can, but there will be reminders.. impressions, not matter how pale they become. :hug: 

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1 minute ago, Parker Owens said:

Leaving stains on the porous fabric of our lives.... what a metaphor. That one will persist in my memory, surely. Hot boiling water poured from a height can eradicate stains, but what a remedy!  Even bleach won't get rid of all the DNA left behind, as you say. That trace remains behind to annoy, unbalance, and harass us. This is a poem of weight and substance. Thank you for it. And hugs....

Depression allows access for all the detritus we normally keep at bay with little effort. The studious part of me can detach, and see what is being done to me, from a distance. Yet knowing doesn't give me any more protection. Fortunately, time is making a difference. Thanks for the comment and the hugs, my friend... cheers... :hug: 

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3 minutes ago, LitLover said:

Painful, but powerful words.  I think many people can relate to this is some way or another.  Like Parker, "Leaving stains on the porous fabric of our lives" really spoke to me as a metaphor..  You can clean up as best you can, but there will be reminders.. impressions, not matter how pale they become. :hug: 

I think depression is universal, whether it lasts days, months or years, in that we all know at least some of the control it takes away. Yeah, reminders... I can still relive horrifying ones as a very young child... some never pale, as you say. I tell myself, I've been here before... but this time is different... I am tired. Still, I am not one to give in to this insidious thing. Expressing my feelings and despair in this way, strengthens my resolve. I am prevailing :) ... thanks, my friend :hug: 

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Hmmm, what to say ... well, you've spun the words into a remarkably expressive poem with phrasing that sticks in the mind of those who read this ... but I like not what underlying cause drives these thoughts. Yes, we are oft made stronger by what we endure ... but, granite will crack under duress and the oak will fall if the strom is severe enough. I do not say this to dampen your resolve for I would encourage you. But I fret for you my brother. I fret.

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10 minutes ago, dughlas said:

Hmmm, what to say ... well, you've spun the words into a remarkably expressive poem with phrasing that sticks in the mind of those who read this ... but I like not what underlying cause drives these thoughts. Yes, we are oft made stronger by what we endure ... but, granite will crack under duress and the oak will fall if the strom is severe enough. I do not say this to dampen your resolve for I would encourage you. But I fret for you my brother. I fret.

Don't fret, my brother and dear friend. Please. I have a good doctor, and options if I can't handle this... I'm doing okay, and I'm not holding anything in... panic episodes are less severe, and I have an aid for them... and I have my friends, family, and an outlet in poetry. I don't like those underlying causes either, but this oak will not be toppled. :)  This is new for me, but challenges are not... trust me, dugh :hug::heart: 

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3 minutes ago, Bucket1 said:

:hug:

Thanks, B. This kind of purging is a good thing. Thank you for always being there to lend a shoulder. :hug: 

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I suppose if I had to choose a philosophical stance, it would be from Ancient Rome...there were two choices that appealed to me from my readings: Stoicism and Cynicism.  If you go by my general beliefs, it would be the latter most of the time, but in times of adversity, then the former comes to the fore.

Neither is much comfort at those times, when what would really help is a warm, safe hug.  When we are small, if we are lucky, that comes from our parents--usually a mom; alas, by the time life can really hurt, most of us have lost our parents, and must depend on remaining family or friends.  Alas, how many of us, due to social conditioning, are willing to ask for that help, or even give it when asked because it will show us as weak?

For me, my response at a visceral level is: 'Screw social norms--my friend is hurting--that's what matters most.'

So, Gary, my dear...I have said it often enough, but here it is again: I love you unconditionally and will always have your back, and you can lean on me when the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune seem too much.

:hug:   :heart:  :heart:  :heart:  :hug:

Edited by ColumbusGuy
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5 hours ago, ColumbusGuy said:

I suppose if I had to choose a philosophical stance, it would be from Ancient Rome...there were two choices that appealed to me from my readings: Stoicism and Cynicism.  If you go by my general beliefs, it would be the latter most of the time, but in times of adversity, then the former comes to the fore.

Neither is much comfort at those times, when what would really help is a warm, safe hug.  When we are small, if we are lucky, that comes from our parents--usually a mom; alas, by the time life can really hurt, most of us have lost our parents, and must depend on remaining family or friends.  Alas, how many of us, due to social conditioning, are willing to ask for that help, or even give it when asked because it will show us as weak?

For me, my response at a visceral level is: 'Screw social norms--my friend is hurting--that's what matters most.'

So, Gary, my dear...I have said it often enough, but here it is again: I love you unconditionally and will always have your back, and you can lean on me when the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune seem too much.

:hug:   :heart:  :heart:  :heart:  :hug:

The measured care as you wax philosophical tells me how genuine you are as a person and as a friend. This is beautiful and comforting... a declaration that comes from a big and kind heart. I know I can lean on you, my dear friend, and that is priceless during my more lost times. The weight of life is lessened by the care of others... you do that for me, and I thank you. I am doing okay. I never expected I would be enduring depression at this stage of my life, but it is one more challenge in a series... fear not... I am a survivor, and I am winning... much love... Gary xoxoxoxo

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Quote

When you’re already living

What feels like a slow death

This is true for all life.  We begin a slow march to death the day we are born.  Depression is a frequent visitor to us all as living exposes us to many assaults on our souls.  Please remember it is your determination we admire.  Your passionate dedication to writing that inspires us to change and survive. Stay focused on the good you do.  Thanks!

 

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8 hours ago, raven1 said:

This is true for all life.  We begin a slow march to death the day we are born.  Depression is a frequent visitor to us all as living exposes us to many assaults on our souls.  Please remember it is your determination we admire.  Your passionate dedication to writing that inspires us to change and survive. Stay focused on the good you do.  Thanks!

 

Thank you, Terry. Depression is truly insidious, and once you are out of it, you understand it may only be temporary, but understanding that helps you gird yourself against further assault. My familiarity with it is the main reason I wrote the story "Endings", and also why that story is such an important one to me. Appreciate your kindness. :hug: 

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Endings is a very beautiful story. Even if it took two readings for me to fully understand, it is still a story that has influenced and taught me much about myself.

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5 minutes ago, raven1 said:

Endings is a very beautiful story. Even if it took two readings for me to fully understand, it is still a story that has influenced and taught me much about myself.

Thanks. I will always appreciate you giving it a second chance. It was a hard story to write, but I wouldn't change a single word about it. :hug: 

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