Melancholy

Discuss the poem "Melancholy" with the community...

https://www.poetry.com/poem/159545/melancholy

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• 

  Teril

  You have the courage to look in the mirror, and to return again and again. This maps your process of becoming "intimate' with your melancholy (not "intimidating" it - although this is a great Freudian slip - you are much too gentle to take that route...) more »

  LikeReply1 day ago
  • 

    Kaytee

    Thanks so much. I do think intimate works much better. It does take courage to look in the mirror. I appreciate your feedback.

    LikeReply1 day ago
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  karlcfolkes

  Don’t do any editing. Keep it that way as your internal genius of Psyche working on your behalf providing your readers with intriguing poetic ambiguity.

  LikeReply 11 day ago
  • 

    Kaytee

    Thanks!!

    LikeReply1 day ago
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  cokerrogers

  Wonderful words . I can relate. Was just thinking about a midnight stroll myself

  LikeReply2 days ago
  • 

    Kaytee

    thanks so much! I hope you enjoyed your stroll.

    LikeReply1 day ago
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  karlcfolkes

  Have you noticed the apparent ‘Freudian Slip’ in the first line of the fifth stanza of your poem which reads as follows: “I have become intimidate with my melancholy.” Was that intentional? Did you want to write “intimidated by” or perhaps “intimate with.” Added to the intriguing mystery is your reference to a ‘slip’ in the first two lines of the second stanza, referring to “slip off the sadness like a black slip…” in any event your “Melancholy” poem is artistically rich and metaphorically captivating. I sense genius at work. more »

  LikeReply 14 days ago
  • 

    Kaytee

    I wish I was clever enough to make the "slip" intentional but it was a typo. I meant to say "intimate with." If I edit it I'll lose all the wonderful feedback from my fellow poets so I will likely leave it alone and let it be intriguing :) Thanks so much for you kind words. more »

    LikeReply 13 days ago
• 

  Philipo

  Fine work. Saw myself in some lives there. Good music and a good documentary will always challenge melancholy but the winner is not always clear.

  LikeReply 19 days ago
  • 

    Kaytee

    Thanks so much! I will enjoy some good music today to beat the blues.

    LikeReply9 days ago
• 

  lovingempath

  This is a very powerful poem Keytee! And it flows beautifully from beginning to end; without any stumbling blocks. I love your candid visuals of temporary escape, but your honesty about your intimate relationship with melancholy is what grabbed me the most. I think melancholy is what drives most poets to write: At least for myself it does; and sometimes I have to force myself into a different realm of existence. You put it beautifully with your 'sordid love affair' stanza and then you wrap the entire poem up with the perfect closing line. "Don't worry melancholy I'll come back home to you". This is as perfect as it comes, and I consider it a masterpiece. Bravo! more »

  LikeReply 110 days ago
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    Kaytee

    thanks so much! That is high praise coming from you. I love your work. It's so validating to know that others find inspiration also in melancholy. I think it can drive us to write and then writing heals us as we do it. I am on that healing journey. I need to figure out how to write about happiness when it creeps in from time to time. Thanks again! more »

    LikeReply 110 days ago
  • 

    lovingempath

    Thank you Kaytee! And when you're able to compose a 'happy' poem, I'll take tips from you and try composing one myself. When I'm feeling joy or happiness, I usually just want to 'live' those moments and don't need to express them through words. But it would be so refreshing to read something that lifted my spirits to that level :). more »

    LikeReply 210 days ago
• 

  Symmetry58

  You are nothing short of brilliant, K. I mean it. Your mind is truly something to behold. I absolutely adore your style and thought process. Apologies for my recent absence as I needed a mental sabbatical ironically enough in light of the above brilliance. ;-) more »

  LikeReply12 days ago
  • 

    Kaytee

    I’m glad you are back. I understand needing to take a mental health break from time to time. I do appreciate your feedback back. It means so much!

    LikeReply11 days ago
• 

  karlcfolkes

  We all have that inner protective “Self” within us which psychologists call “the psyche” and theologians refer to as “The Holy Spirit.”

  LikeReply 113 days ago
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  karlcfolkes

  Dear Kaytee,
  
  The “Self” you seek to regain is, like your shadow, the most intimate part of your innermost being, and therefore your comforter, always ready to lift you up, lighten your burden, and ease your melancholy. It is that Self that is your divine spiritual image, encouraging you to express yourself through poetry and share your sentiments with others. You are truly blest, for you are not alone, having an intimate companion (your “soulmate”) to guide you. Peace be with you. more »

  LikeReply13 days ago
  • 

    Kaytee

    thanks so much for your feedback. I love the idea of my "self" being a divine spiritual image. encouraging me. Also, I love your poetry.

    LikeReply13 days ago
• 

  AIDA

  Wow! This poem is deeply moving and beautifully written. You have clearly captured the complexity of dealing with sadness, and the ways we try to cope with it. I love how you describe slipping off the sadness like a black slip - it's such a vivid image that really brings the emotion to life. Your use of nature is also very effective, with the forest absorbing the misery and the tall trees welcoming you in their canopy.
  
  One suggestion for improvement might be to add more details about the happy moments you long for. What specific memories do you miss? What would it feel like to truly immerse yourself in joy, love, and forgiveness? The more you can paint a picture of what you're striving for, the more powerful the poem will be.
  
  Overall, this is a wonderful poem that really resonated with me. Thank you for sharing it! more »

  LikeReply 115 days ago
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  dougb.19255

  Slipping often the dark underthings of gloom. Nice image. BUT YOU DO NOT HAVE TO POSSESS THS AFFLICTION. Use your mouth right. Take hope from the promises and inclinations of our merciful, loving Heavenly Father. Am I a one way with Jesus guy.? Most definitely. No other way to fly. Read John’s Gospel chapter 14. Call me narrow minded. I don’t care. more »

  LikeReply16 days ago
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    Kaytee

    Thanks for your input. I'll check out that passage.

    LikeReply15 days ago