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Darkness Into Light

At four am they walked last night. From darkness into light. Thousands appeared all over this land to lend a hand. Depression the darkness we speak of and other mental torment. So gratifying to see others who suffered, just like me. For the first time I can see a light. A light that is shining bright for us to reach for from the dark recesses of dulled brains. I hope we no longer need hide behind the happy mask we show mankind. Just as plasters show we hurt, perhaps now our hearts can rest on our sleeves? Oh...yes please! "Darkness into Light" is a sponsored walk in my country, where people meet at 4am and walk in unison until the light of dawn.

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Mark Koplin

Date: 1/23/2021 8:47:00 PM

Congratulations on your win, Jean!

Jean Murray
Date: 1/24/2021 1:35:00 PM

Thank you Mark.

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 1/23/2021 12:10:00 PM

- Congratulations on your h/m on the winner list, Jean :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Jean Murray
Date: 1/24/2021 1:35:00 PM

Thank you Anna-Lise. I must get back in the saddle soon.

Carolyn Devonshire

Date: 1/22/2021 5:16:00 AM

This is a lovely poem, Jean, but it exceeds the 4-14 line limit. I like the thought of embarking on this walk with others. Nicely crafted. Congrats on your honorable mention. Best wishes, Carolyn

Jean Murray
Date: 1/22/2021 11:23:00 AM

So Sorry Carolyn for not reading the instructions correctly. Thank you so much, in that case, for mentioning me.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 6/5/2018 5:54:00 PM

I never heard of this. It is a really great idea!!

Jean Murray
Date: 6/5/2018 5:58:00 PM

So nice to see you Andrea. I'm all at sea without a muse this past while. Hope to land on the shore again soon.

Eve Roper

Date: 5/10/2018 12:28:00 PM

Back to wish you a Happy Mother's Day Hugs dear friend

Jean Murray
Date: 5/10/2018 1:01:00 PM

I walk into your warm hug with pleasure Eve. I hope you are having a good one.

Arturo Michael

Date: 5/9/2018 2:39:00 PM

A lovely tradition...I share your sentiments...All the best Jean

Jean Murray
Date: 5/9/2018 2:49:00 PM

That's good to hear Arturo.

Eve Roper

Date: 5/9/2018 11:52:00 AM

This is a beautiful poem, Jean, I enjoyed reading. If, this poem is for a contest good luck. Thank you for reading my write on the Roosevelt Elk they are just beautiful and fascinating to watch. I am still laughing over your comment on my write do the Irishmen also have 4 foot horns..Hahahaha....Hugs Eve

Jean Murray
Date: 5/9/2018 11:57:00 AM

LOL Eve. No, but the urinating in public and tossing the turf ring true to me.

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 5/8/2018 7:22:00 AM

This is a beautifully written poem; I was picturing a land full of people linking arms, and their hearts were dancing up and down on their sleeves. We cannot do this life alone, Jean, we need to do it together. Nicely put!

Jean Murray
Date: 5/8/2018 7:29:00 AM

Thank you Caren.

Daniel Turner

Date: 5/7/2018 3:25:00 PM

Jean, I suffer from depression at times. It is a struggle at best. I feel your pain. Poetry seems to be therapeutic. My advice, when you are feeling depressed, is to write it down. Once you read it, it seems to make things better.

Jean Murray
Date: 5/7/2018 4:00:00 PM

That is so true. I started writing poetry when my counselor asked me to put pen to paper and write whatever came into my head. Out popped NAKED. I credit poetry and the support I received here from you and others at that time as being a big part of my recovery. So thank you Daniel.

Tom Cunningham

Date: 5/7/2018 7:30:00 AM

Id never heard of this Jean, your right though, plasters don't hide it, I worked with someone who took his own life, too proud to ask for help,if only we had seen it coming, Great that its been highlighted and hopefully fully it will encourage others in a dark place to seek help. Tom.

Jean Murray
Date: 5/7/2018 3:56:00 PM

Thank you Tom.

Tom Cunningham
Date: 5/7/2018 8:51:00 AM

No its not silly Jean, you were certainly in a dark place, and don't ever blame yourself.

Jean Murray
Date: 5/7/2018 8:21:00 AM

Mine arrived with a bang seven years ago, after I could take no more and threw my husband out. Our daughters were so upset, I thought if I killed myself he could return and they would all live happily ever after. How silly was that train of thought?

Viv Wigley

Date: 5/7/2018 7:06:00 AM

Very touching poem, Jean, I remember being treated for depression back in early 2000 after my remaining parent died and everything else went belly up at the same time. Trying to explain depression to someone who has never had it is like explaining Sergeant Pepper to a profoundly deaf person. keep smiling, love from me x

Jean Murray
Date: 5/7/2018 7:07:00 AM

Vijay Pandit

Date: 5/7/2018 6:01:00 AM

Excellent poem Jean..your theme is quite touching and you depicted it with style. These ending lines speak volumes: ..I hope we no longer need hide behind the happy mask we show mankind. Just as plasters show we hurt. Perhaps now our hearts can rest on our sleeves.Oh...yes please.

Jean Murray
Date: 5/7/2018 6:20:00 AM

Good morning Vijay. Although hopefully well over it now, at the time I was ill I felt the stigma of working in healthcare while attending a psychiatric outpatient clinic. I am well over worrying about that now too, thankfully. We have come a long way.