very touching, heartfelt, powerful and encouraging write. This poem shows so much wisdom.

I certainly do respect how you
brought respect to our life.
Superior and encouraging poetry.

Tell on yourself, you’ll feel better...Oh this is good!
I've always told my kids...if I don't end up going crazy, I'll FAKE IT! LOL!
Enjoyed~
Love and Peace~
Kimmy~

The heartbeats of writing roller coaster verse that rants inside who you are, a talented poet that must write her wings of true spirits.

Your strength shows in this poem - others can battle this as well as you do. Love the flow in this one, along with the honesty. Hugs. I'm tracking you....

Be well,

Sheila

I appreciate your honesty and frankness in this write. Very well done; brava!

(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tx., Karen Lynn. :(

I swear sometimes I'm bipolar; I have wild mood swings at times; drives me *crazy*!

We are human and can't be expected to be perfect. We cannot face every bit of reality all the time. That would be living in a dictatorship.

Thank you for this well written piece.

Greetings,

Axilea

I am not bi-polar,but did deal with something similar and I wish there were some way to bring us all to a better understanding of mental problems! You have done a very good job of explaining it here and I salute you! In the seventies I had changed my life completely and went to work in a mental health facility while taking nursing. As you know the subject is just too complex to make sense of in this venue, but wanted to say that bottom line,we must learn to be honest with ourselves, with respect, and acceptance,and not be constantly having to explain our moods etc. If we just live through it without demeaning ourselves we can get through. Hope I've made some sense. Just want to say thank you for sharing and hope you continue to keep that self-esteem high, and do things to make yourself happy!
God bless you!

Eileen

TELL it, girl!! TELL it!! Slam-dunk if I ever saw one!

Me, I prefer manic depression over bipolar. Latter seems to me like a euphemism. My mother and brother suffered from manic deprssion. Symptoms used to plague me. [Maybe still do, but by now are par for the course. Just who I am? Nuttin' wrong with bein' crazy!] All self-medicated to varying degrees. As you know,consequences can be tragic when you stir in alcohol. Bad relationship, don't talk. Here I go again, ranting on. YOU HAVE DONE A WONDERFUL JOB...NOT JUST OF WRITING, BUT OF LIVING. Not just surviving, but. . .l i v i n g. No real cure [right?], but creating art out of the pain and g i v i n g are very therapeutic -- and not just for
the sufferer. You are living p r o o f!! Thank you for speaking up!
For being so forthright!! With respect, admiration, and affection. . .mixed with not a little awe, <3 Pea <3

Elizabeth, this really moves me and is probably the best read on the subject I have ever... read... I think many of us can relate in some shape or form, even if only mildly so or even if we have never actually officially been given the "label" bi-polar. Who can fathom our workings which may be a great melting pot of genes, social conditioning and life experience... added to unique personal temperament, psyche and make-up. My father was paranoid schizophrenic alcoholic. My mother coped, was totally emotionally closed-down and was totally controlling therefore. My childhood was a mad pastiche of nutty and freaked out grown-ups and I retreated into my own world. I feel prey to predatory women, find blokes much easier which is frequently misread and misunderstood... And why I have been sucked in to talking about myself I have no idea, except... I LOVE THIS! It makes me pleased to be me and pleased that you are you, hang-ups and all. We are how we are because of what we are... unique and world-class survivors. Self-esteem has been a lifetime problem for me, simply because I have measured myself against my perceptions of "normality". Now, because of writes like this and realising that all the "best" people are non-normals (massive generalisation here! And being a bit tongue-in-cheek as well, least I offend any Normals amongst us!!) I am at long last and at the ripe old age of 50, growing to love myself BECAUSE of my foibles.

I can’t help what’s in my genes
Fire in my soul is not an emergency
Depression in my heart
Both emotions tear my life apart

... fantastic lines which both give us credence and epitomises our brave struggles. And I suspect I speak for many, many among us here. But THANK YOU for giving us voice.

With love and full appreciation, Kate xx

You have much to be thankful for and proud of Dear Lady. Advice is cheap, so cheap it's usually free, and seldom helpful. Thank you for a wise poem. We spend our lives seeking that peaceful place within our own heart, and are blessed for every moment we get to spend there.

You should stand proud of who you are and what you have accomplished. I hate when some lable others at the worst degree/ spectrum of a specific illness. How dare they. They do not know what harm they are doing to many innocent individuals. I enjoy yout work, you tell it as it is.

(((HUGS)))
Helen

The rest of the world IS insane Liz. What you feel is normal! Maybe you simply feel to much, to deep. But you have always been open in your writing about your ups and down and I for one am happy you are my friend and a wonderful poet!

You touch on a subject that many stay away from, but you are very strong and bold, be proud. You have suffered, but you have overcome, stand tall and be always proud of your accomplishments. Great write...

Be safe,
Karen

An honest and well written offering my friend...you've penned from the heart, well done!
Blessings,
Joyce B.

I truly understand your thoughts. Well done!

Kathy

Direct and honest, Elizabeth. I appreciate you sharing of your self. Love, peace, and strength to you,

Regis

This is really good, Elizabeth. Straight from the hip writing.

Brett

God bless you, Elizabeth. Keep on keepin' on, girl. You're an inspiration!