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I don't know what to say

james1
Community Champion
Community Champion

Hello everyone,

I don't really know what to say.

I'm not looking for advice, I'm just looking for a place to say something/anything.

You may have read some of my other posts, but the summary of me is: 24 years old, suffered from depression a few times in my life, suicidal thoughts each time, currently dealing with a relationship breakdown two months ago and symptoms of borderline personality disorder, and the depression and anxiety's come back as a result.

I don't know what keeps tripping me up but I constantly land back at the bottom of this mountain.

I've been writing poems, here's one because I don't know what else to say. I hope it's not too dark.

 

Steady drums

He cowers among shadows in a sacred hall,
Beneath the gaze of saints gone by,
Who condemn his long unrelenting fall
Into cold black dreams where his demons fly.

Day brings back the spindly claws
Of imps that crawl from beneath his bed;
they hook like leeches into all his flaws
and drink through fangs until they are fed.

Gorging and gurgling - the demons grow bold
And spin bloody chambers around his heart
Which beats like a drum dressed in gold,
Sold to the devil who will never depart.

The chambers burst and hellhounds are loose
They rage inside and reek abuse.
The drums beat louder and echo in his head
They rupture his veins until he is bled.

He is only a man with a dying light,
A candle which burns yet flickers with fight,
“What more do you want?” he cries aloud,
“Your hope; your dreams.” The man is cowed.

And yet while the flame can still flicker,
And his lips still quiver, gasping for life,
The drums will beat no slower, no quicker,
Until he is safe from this strife.

252 Replies 252

james1
Community Champion
Community Champion
Yes! That's a great idea Chris.

Starwolf
Blue Voices Member
Blue Voices Member

Well done James !

Your achievements are worth a standing ovation.

Rock
Community Member

I know how you feel about always landing at the bottom of the mountain...I've began to wonder if the summit is just too far away to see yet or if it even exists at all. Anyway, hope remains and I believe you can get through.

Also, that poem was just amazing. You're very good at poetry! Depression may be a hellish curse, but if nothing else it makes a powerful muse.

Guest_322
Community Member
Well done indeed! What an amazing achievement to celebrate. Hat off to you, James! Definitely something to feel proud of completing!

james1
Community Champion
Community Champion
Thanks everyone. I just saw that BB also has a fundraising thing for the Blackmores Half Marathon which I already signed up to, so I'll get on the fundraising bandwagon! Only one month to go annoy all my friends and co-workers, haha.

Starwolf
Blue Voices Member
Blue Voices Member

Hi James,

There are things that must be said...you may be in a very dark place at the moment but you have been bringing light into other people's life. Your contribution at BB is much appreciated, particularly because you are struggling yourself. Mental conditions often makes us self-centered but the demons assailing you are powerless in front of a big heart. Compassion shines through your posts. This light hasn't been extinguished. You may be wounded but far from a failure. Your courage is an inspiration. How come you see yourself cowed ?

I have been in such dark, cold places and torn to pieces by demons. Acceptance that I was losing the battle was the best thing that ever happened to me. I shifted my focus from the darkness to the flickering light in me. The more I nurtured it, the stronger it grew. I found that demons could be brought into that light and their power used in creative ways.

There is a Phoenix in each and everyone of us.

Airies
Community Member

Well done James,

great achievement and time. Just finishing is an achievement . As a former runner I envy you. I miss those endorfins so much. Training for a half marathon brilliant, Loved that distance.. Maybe a marathon beckons. I haven't run for 15 years or so.. My joints are kaput. You are young and these days training plans are much smarter.. Good luck with your training. I plan to get back on my push bike come September 1

Well done James on your City2Surf achievement on the weekend. A fantastic effort in achieving your goals or in fact even bettering them with your time. Good for you also in speaking to a stranger afterwards.

Did you feel as though you were running amongst friends when you saw all the BB team running with you? (-:

King regards to you James.

Sherie xx

james1
Community Champion
Community Champion

Hey Starwolf, thank you for your kind words and anecdote. I try my best to tell people of my little achievements here and there even though its not something I've ever done - everyone always describes me as the guy who celebrates for everyone else, but never himself. So I'm trying to change that and give my little flame a little extra wick to keep burning.

Igbran - Thanks. Sorry about your knees but I'm glad you found another outlet in your pushbike. I actually have a longer term goal of completing a sprint triathlon in 2 years time so I'm eager to jump back in the pool again when it gets warmer. That's meant to be pretty good for the knees too if you want ot give it a go!

Thanks Sherie, I sure did feel among friends! Even though I didn't know anyone and we were all running solo, we were running solo, together. And I think that's what these forums are about - we've all got our own monsters to deal with, but we can do it together.

You guys are awesome. I love you all.

James

geoff
Champion Alumni
Champion Alumni
hi James, these achievements are the little steps which can provide some inspiration for you when you need to fall back on, that's something we need to look for once depression has come upon us.
You could go along and enjoy the last 6 months or more of your life doing whatever pleases you, but then suddenly for no apparent reason something strikes a chord and then that black door opens once again, why, why does this need to happen, well sometimes we have no idea, but the important part here is that when you have overcome depression before, it will once again happen to you.
Give yourself time to reassess your situation and know that you have come good many times before, that's the most important part here is 'that you have come good before'.
Running Marathons does a couple of things, it gives you plenty of time to think and there are times when you just want to give up but you know you never will, that's the push, the determination you have to succeed, so in reality your depression is just another marathon, and I wish you the best luck for this next one, and take pride in yourself and for what you are running for.
Now I can't run 100m let alone all those 23km runs, but understand that I still have a marathon to run with my depression.
James your participation in replying to those asking us for help has been magnificent and very supportive, so please take care. Geoff.