Guest Writer - Cliff Perry

For Red Dirt Girl who, at times, finds the struggle with Bipolar Disorder quite difficult. She writes very interesting and challenging poetry. Her succinct and carefully chosen words never reflect simply a surface level of meaning, but permeate several layers.

This poem was written by a friend and a former blogger who, at the time, was thought to have Bipolar Disorder too. Whether he has or hasn't is of no consequence; he seems to be able to express what he felt like at the time this was written and what some others may have experienced too.

No Junction

My mind is like a train, rather-
two trains of thought.
One is anxious for its destination,
Two, is definitely not.

One is blocked by backed-up traffic
Owing to Two's careless ways;
undecided, uncompleted
changing tracks, never stays.

One strides forward always trying,
to perfect his concentration.
Hopes held high of getting through
Two, often leads to frustration.

And just 'cause Two has feeble plans:
follows where his looking leads him-
seldom bothered by importance
only when his ego needs him.

To clarify the situation
of why they can't, content to live;
When One has reason to his action -
and Two, by only 'loco' motive.

I suppose that there must be
a rail on the track that's bent
causing Two to do his damage
havoc stir; success prevent.

One chugs on full of steam
complete his task his only goal
but the pressure's surely dropping!

Two, throws a single piece of coal.

Now why has Two the upper-hand?
It seems unfair to have control
When One is certainly deserving -
I hope that I will One day know.

copyright 2004

Cliff Perry

Mother of Invention, wishing everyone who struggles with something, the power to soldier on with all their strength.