by Lauri Mitchell

Created on: February 16, 2009   Last Updated: May 25, 2009

AN UNLIKELY LIMERICK

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Most limericks aim for the mark -

Something bawdy, just for a lark.

But I thought I'd try

Something different, so I

Might reach those who avoid what is Dark.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Those who don't know true depression

Might have the misguided impression

That the pain that surrounds us

And practically drowns us

Is just a neurotic obsession.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I know that it seems like I'm mocking

Those people who always are talking

About how awful they feel

How their pain is quite real

But the truth you might find very shocking.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Three years, I was among the Undead.

Every second enveloped in dread.

Not one moment of pleasure

With food nor with leisure.

A place where no angels dare tread.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I was freed by divine intervention.

One of Medicine's newest inventions.

Now I celebrate Life.

I survived so much strife,

That rarely I feel apprehension.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You might think, "Why write in light verse

On a subject so bleak? How perverse!"

But, perhaps you'll take seriously

A loved one in misery

If another who's been there is terse.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you have a friend who's in pain,

Be assured their life they can regain.

There's nothing to do

Except merely be you.

Just listen - do not take the blame.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Entreat them to seek out some experts.

Don't load them with lots of long lectures.

Keep being persistent

And even insistent

There is someone who'll stop all those hurts.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My family and man got me through it.

It's no lie that I practically blew it.

But with them standing by,

I knew I must try.

Stand by them - you really can do it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Learn more about this author, Lauri Mitchell.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.