When Sadness Has My Soul Distraught

John W. May

Ballad

When sadness has my soul distraught
And twists my weary, weary bones,
And owns my bright blue days with gray
   And manifests with moans:

I will not shrink, nor I repine,
Beneath the anguish running deep;
Nor sleep will I through all the day,
   Nor endless will I weep …

For though the pain and woe are real,
I know that inly I am strong,—
Let throngs of troubles trouble me,
   They cannot quench my song.

About this poem

Dedicating this to anyone who might be suffering from depression or sorrow—with a prayer for resiliency and healing.

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Submitted by Vixility on January 21, 2024

: 25 sec read
: 327 Views

Quick analysis:

Scheme	XABA XCBC XDXD
Closest metre	Iambic tetrameter
Characters	413
Words	86
Stanzas	3
Stanza Lengths	4, 4, 4

Full analysis for When Sadness Has My Soul Distraught »

John W. May

John W. May has lived in Colorado all his life. He currently works in the field of ophthalmology and loves to mountain bike and read about history. John first became a lover of poetry in 2008 after having read a poem by John Milton. He has been reading and studying the works of various poets since. His favorite poets are Emily Dickinson, Fyodor Tyutchev and W. B. Yeats. more…

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nfowke
I meant to comment when you first posted this, as ever wonderfully written and evocative. The theme of your poem and your finally line 'They cannot quench my song' has promted me to post the words of a song that I wrote called 'Silence The Accuser'. I wrote this as a testomony, of being completely healed of depression. See my page for more. more »
LikeReply2 months ago
adam.gutteridge
I really love this poem John. “And owns my bright blue days with gray” resonates with me and the way I have felt in the past.
I love the defiance running through the poem and the unwillingness to lie down when challenged by sadness and troubles.
Truly inspiring writing my friend. This one really hit home! more »
LikeReply2 months ago
jennybabygirl6982
Love this Poem, "When sadness has my soul distraught", surely many ppl can relate to the true meaning of. I can. Thanks for sharing your work. God bless.
LikeReply 12 months ago
- Vixility
  I was hoping that this would be the case. Thank you so much for stopping by …
  LikeReply2 months ago
KhalilAmir
This is a really good piece. It helped me a lot in the moment. Thanks
LikeReply 12 months ago
- Vixility
  So happy you enjoyed the poem, and I can more happy that it helped you in the moment. Thank you for stopping by.
  LikeReply2 months ago
hayleigh_l
This is amazing!
LikeReply 13 months ago
lorlor
This is AMAZING :D
LikeReply 13 months ago
Deeplawati123
Exquisite! Please share mine too
LikeReply 13 months ago
luisestable1
A poem of facing adversity with courage which is easy said than done.
The rhyme-scheme is carried out well. The diction is simple but poetic.
Good read!
LikeReply 13 months ago
- Vixility
  Reminds me of the quote (paraphrased): they know not their own strenge who have not suffered adversity.
  
  Thanks for stopping by and for the analysis …
  LikeReply3 months ago
Symmetry60
Perfect poetry for the topic. So many, too many, suffer the disabling fallout from this horrible affliction. I've written numerous pieces on it myself. It's clear you read many styles of poetry by how brilliantly you construct these pieces. It inspires me to write. Great work, Sir, as always. more »
LikeReply 13 months ago
- Vixility
  Though I love reading the creative output, it pains me how the overwhelming majority of these poem I read through are riddled with pain, despair and hopelessness.
  My only consolation (and I often ask those who write them) is that there is a healing element that accompanies the creative process of writing about it.
  You flatter me, Steven!! Lol … thanks for checking this piece out and commenting. more »
  LikeReply 13 months ago
- nfowke
  Yes too many suffer from the disabling fallout of this horribe affliction ... but I am living proof that it is possible to be free. See my post ... 'Silence The Accuser'
  LikeReply2 months ago
npirandy
Had you pondered weak and weary prior to composition? Thus a very melodic remedy to a " keep yer chin up".
Nice job John!
LikeReply 13 months ago
- Vixility
  Hahaha … I love the Poe reference. Definitely a keep your chin up poem. Thank you for the support and stopping by.
  LikeReply3 months ago

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"When Sadness Has My Soul Distraught" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 27 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/179079/when-sadness-has-my-soul-distraught>.

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