The Carrot and the Pole
The carrot lashed on to the pole led to a hollow hope. The ring that pulled against my nose dragged me through dos and don’ts. The choking leash chewed up my neck and held me back from living. But every night I still come back to thoughts that need forgiving. Structure The structure of the pills and rules can keep emotions balanced. Like a box of useful tools, it helps the poet manage. Sometimes it can crush the soul because the structure smothers. Other times it fails to hold and only courage matters Some Call it Depression Some call it depression when life turns dark and dull. Others claim that effort can take the pressure off. Yet those who speak of feelings mostly live in books. Their minds believe in speaking with self-important words. Disconnected Walking on egg shells oaths made of doubt. Prayers turn to silence as mood storms dry out. The soggy air sops up the left over mind. The hope of attention is now lost to time. Answers keep stalling so questions drop-off. This latest rejection is hard to ignore. God must exist he’s called here before. But now he’s too busy, and so never calls.
Bio: John Zurn has been faced with the challenges of bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder for his entire adult life. Over the years he gradually learned that: medication, physical exercise, meditation and creative writing were vital for his long term recovery. Despite this challenge, he still managed to work as a teacher and counselor for over thirty-five years. Now retired, he has more time to write and publish poems and stories. As one of seven children, his experiences growing up continue to help inspire his art and influence his life
Fevers of the Mind 