Me, spilling out all my thoughts, inner and outer, on just about anything! Lots of poetry, short stories from past experiences, anecdotes about teaching elementary school, music, relationships....garage sale type thing...Something For Everyone!

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

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.


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17 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh!!! MoI, girlfriend........this makes me cry.....it's so sweet of you to dedicate this gorgeous poem to me. Your friend aptly describes the instability of moods......sane / not so sane.......and the helplessness we sometimes feel when not so sane takes the reins and steers us......

I love this poem.......I've saved it.....it is a beautiful reminder that I am not alone in this struggle. And you......You are the best support a girl like me can have.......thank you for all your positive love!!!

love and hugs, girlfriend
rdkitty

Thursday, March 01, 2007

 
Blogger Bob said...

It's kind of like reading a cliff note on bipolar disorder. very communicative, easily accessible, expression of a difficult topic.

I have monopolar disorder. my train only has one rail and sometimes all it takes is a little bump to derail my train of thought. I am one-dimensional in my mental affliction - I guess I'm an underachiever.

Thursday, March 01, 2007

 
Blogger meno said...

I recently read An Unquiet Mind by Kay Jamison( i think that's right) about her struggles w/bi-polar disorder.

This expressed much of the same sentiment.

Thursday, March 01, 2007

 
Blogger Mother of Invention said...

RDG: You're the reason I thought of this poem! I'm glad you like it so much and I'll pass on the compliment to Cliff. I haven't seen many of his poems or stories,but I think this is the best of all I have read.

Bob: Thanks, I'll pass that on to him. I guess you see things a little differently with your affliction. I've actually never heard of Monopolar. Is there medication to take that helps?
I am positive that you are not an underachiever. You wouldn't have become so successful in your career and certainly you have achieved amazing results with your musical accomplishments! I so envy those. I could have developed much more in music than I did.

Meno: Thanks for that reference.....interesting. People are becoming more aware of others who deal with this. I only knew one person who had it and in the last few years I've come to know several.

Thursday, March 01, 2007

 
Blogger Bob said...

I made up the name monopolar. I was being a little too allegorical. I was referring to my battle with depression. I don't go up and down, I'm pretty much down. I have short periods where I feel great, but it doesn't last long and it doesn't seem to take much to kill it. I know that this has kept me from doing as much as I have potential for. I agree that I have been successful to a certain degree, but I could have been more.

Thursday, March 01, 2007

 
Blogger Lynn said...

I like it.

Thursday, March 01, 2007

 
Blogger Lynnea said...

I checked out Red Dirt Girl, I love her poetry.

This one here is interesting - the yin and yang of it. I had a cousin with bipolar - I recognize the tug of war.

Friday, March 02, 2007

 
Blogger Mother of Invention said...

Bob: Oh, that's actually a good name for it. Yes, I see what you mean now...I guess we could always have achieved more for different reasons. Had I been a strong personality and had a lot more self-confidence, I could have done way more with music and athletics.

Lynn: Thanks, I'm glad. I do too.

Maggie: I knew you'd love it her poetry!

Yes, I find Cliff's poem an apt description of something I can only imagine. It's a tough game of tug-of-war and who really wins?

Friday, March 02, 2007

 
Blogger Barbara said...

It's hard for those of us who haven't experienced this firsthand to understand the enormity of it. The sad thing is you never get rid of bipolarity or OCD or any of a number of other debilitating mental disorders. Medication can definitely help, but the disease is ever-present.

Friday, March 02, 2007

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

A very thought provoking poem.

Friday, March 02, 2007

 
Blogger Jocelyn said...

Thanks for sharing this articulation on the disorder. I teach at the college-level and have so many students trying to figure out their way through academics as they also deal with shifting moods/senses/brains.

Friday, March 02, 2007

 
Blogger Old Lady said...

Very nice dedication. I liked the visual the poem provided. Great poets all of you.

Friday, March 02, 2007

 
Blogger Annelisa said...

My monthly swings can be almost akin to bi-polarity sometimes...I spend only just a little more in the above-water or floating stage than in the submerged part... a constant battle many of us women have to also deal with.

I'd imagine, with bi-polarity on top of this swing, the times when the control goes would be doubled!

I don't envy that. It's hard enough to take control of your life anyhow... so many things try to push you this way or that.

Thanks for sharing this, MOI. Tell your Cliff Perry he's written a poem that many can feel empathy or sympathy with!

Saturday, March 03, 2007

 
Blogger Mother of Invention said...

Barbara: My niece has what was once a severe OCD, but it's not too bad now. She's on very little med but perhaps has learned more how to make accommodations and adjustments in order to deal with it more effectively. It must be the same with people with Bipolar and other conditions. In any case, it must really help to have a very strong, supportive and patient partner/family to give them stability and a soft place to fall when they crash and to help steer them towards reality when they go off in all directions.

Coll: Thanks, Colleen. I'll pass that on. That's a sign of good writing when it makes us think.

Jocelyn: Yes, it must be near impossible to stick with school work when dealing with everything else churning up inside your head.

Thanks for the visit and comment. How did you come upon my blog? You have an interesting blog and I'll definitely visit longer soon.

Old Lady: Thanks OL! It is a very clear image and metaphor and it must have felt great to nail it after he finished writing it.

Annelisa: Yes, the old hormone conflict! It does mess things up for us for a short period of time! I pity my husband having dealt with it already! Good thing he is an extremely stable,patient, and understanding person!

Bipolar disorder must be 10 times worse though..both for the person with it and those around them. Imagine our friend, RDG kitty, with an episode of BP PLUS PMS! I just marvel at how much she accomplishes in writing, let alone taking care of kids! And she is very appreciative of your and my support. I'm glad this poem helped her.

Saturday, March 03, 2007

 
Blogger brooksba said...

Very powerful words. It is important to see how this affects people and thanks for sharing Cliff's words. In meeting new people, it is good to be able to understand, at least a little, of where they are coming from, how they think, to help create an understanding and lines of communication.

Sunday, March 04, 2007

 
Blogger Mother of Invention said...

Brooksba: Yes, I thought it was an apt description. Although we can never totally understand how another person feels, it is important for all of us to try to put ourselves in their position....it should help keep more lines of communication open.

Sunday, March 04, 2007

 
Blogger bulletholes said...

"loco-motive"-thats pretty good,in fact the whole thing is good!
Oh, yes of course- yours too MOI-bravo et bravo again!

Monday, March 05, 2007

 

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