Depression = not fun when it overtakes for a nice life and fine living, and it does make you not care about many things which you would enjoy if not depressed.

Been there, felt that. Since I was a kid actually. I think we must be soul-brothers or something:0)

I think we all need to withdraw like this at times. It gives us time to think about where we are in our lives and where we want to go. I've always had trouble expressing this feeling, Regis. An excellent write! Love and Hugs.
Sheila

Just read this for the first time and I love it. I know that when I feel hurt, I want to withdraw and lick my wounds. Sometimes we are forced to keep it going and keep on that smile but we just do need to nurture ourselves for awhile like Linda Gayton said earlier. It's great therapy if we can just even write it down and it's even more courageous when you share it with others and leave yourself even more open to reviews and comments!!! Love and hope all is well. You sound like one of those men we women want to meet who are so sensitive inside yet it doesn't always quite happen or something gets in the way. Some men like that are on here and that is a relief! I thought we women were in the majority of having to express our hurts and sorrows out loud! Love from Meredith

wow, very powerful, deep reaching write!!

Perhaps, Regis, there it is, in that separation of self and self. We've all felt that inner rip before, in need of healing. A time for all things, all places, all musings... and wishing you the healing sought.

sounded just like me nice one reg

hey, sometimes it be's like that, right? and it's ok when it is. as always, your writes hit home like a line drive, you're in and out saying what you've got to say, doing what you've got to do. i appreciate that in a poet, and in a write. so write on, regis. we'll be reading.

Introspection can sometimes be likened to the dark night of the soul, where we delve deep down to places normally neglected due to the day to day struggles of living. The writer of this beautifully wrought creation is most certainly not insouciant. He's far too deep, passionate and sensitive.

Beautiful write!
~ Mari

The deep and sensitive soul must at times retreat from the world to nurture himself and re-evalute his life and how he'll deal with the circumstance before him. How skillfully you express emotions I can only allude to in my poetry, Regis! The "eye-rollers" only live on the surface of life. Ignorance IS bliss I suppose. For the rest of us who see beyond shallow illusion, the burden we sometimes shoulder can be paralysing. Time and contemplation are the cure dear friend...

Beautiful in style
Sweet in content
Sad in feeling
What else can I say, my friend Regis.Hope this is just fiction.
My best wishes to you

Sounds like depression--quite a realization!

Ron

May enchantments soon come your way and light up your days (and nights) :)! Laugh ... and the world will wonder "What the heck is up with him?" You light up the room with your smile so please grin again :)!
:)Sandy

Regis,
You're always amazing me ......This poem says so much and the
true dismal state we've all experienced .
There's the truth of choice here and that is not easily admitted.
another great piece Regis...Interesting .
peace and love 2 u 2 .....Rich Criso Suarez

Another insightful product of a passionate mind.

A painfully insightful and brave write Regis, may this pass soon my friend.

Paul

Ah, but you express it so beautifully. Must be consoling to know you have so much talent. Really think and dare to feel!! Not only that, you have the courage (and generosity of spirit) to reach out and share. T h a n k y o u.

Always, and then,

Pea

I think this would resonant with many poets and 'dreamers'. Well expressed. Remember the knowing words of Mr Oscar Wilde, The only worse than being talked about is NOT being talked about.

I read a line recently about avoiding the seductions of the subconscious and it pulled me up short. Keep one eye on the world
and one with your beautiful dreams, Regis! k

Sometimes it's only after spending what seems to be an eternity in the silence and solitude of ones soul that we are able to see the sunrise again. A painful journey that seems endless. But makes the awakening all the more precious as we simplify our expectations and learn to walk again in the light. Take care my friend. Travel safe. And know your not alone in you journey...

As someone who has been there, I can relate, Regis - but life goes on, and it usually does get better, if we allow it to.

A heartfelt statement, well- soul searching indeed. You have a fine sense for the beautiful but also for the tragic. It is felt that this, like many of your poems, is a very intimate one, which makes it easy to identify with.
I wish you strength and happiness

Mahdi

Soul searching and self reflection is great therapy, Regis. And I agree with Shee - everything happens for a reason. Meditate, pray, rest and do smile - and if you need a friend, I'm here, Regis. I tend to feel that way when I'm facing an artistic block. I love challenges and when I'm not faced with any I tend to feel uninspired. Thank God this doesn't last long and doesn't happen that often. Hope you do feel better, Regis.

God bless!

Sandie.

Rest, reflect, re-evaluate, prioritize ... and heal, my friend. Most well-written poem, Regis!

Touching lines...excellent write.
Hope you are okay???
If you need a friend to talk to, pls get back to me anytime.
Love
Amira

You have expressed it all so very well, Regis. If you look up the classic symptoms of depression, I am going to guess you possess enough of them to be diagnosed with the disease. If you don't already do it, start exercising a bit, eat home-cooked, quality food and start taking vitamins. It could be something as simple as your body being depleated of some needed vitamins and/or minerals, leaving you to not be rested when you sleep and not have any energy to fuel you during the day.
Take care,
Sherry

Excellent expression of your feelings, Regis.
All the same, it sucks to feel that way! Always in hindsight, I discover it was time to make a change and I was fighting it. Could be you too. Give it some thought and feel better soon.

Love, Bonnie

Written with a cadence to perfction
enjoyed

William .....Peace

How longs this been going on Reg? and what triggered it? There is a REAson 4 Everything, I'm sure you don't want to hear that~! AGain, again again, again- but, it's TRue..Self REflection is GREAT..... New Changes around every corner - Just grab it with a happy grin.....WE *( your constant friends) are rooting for you today and everyday- Aren't we group/family---? Something BiG will come out of This..........MARK MY WorDS! Bud- Wonderfully written Poem above- Wow- Im stunned...... Sarah Coss is right.....WE do- Visualize and Believe and SEE it happening, as you want it too..Believe enough, and see it happening right before you....Changes will appear...... alot to Ponder will bring amazzzzzzing results REg.....!Your in our prayers oxo P.S. This Too Shall Pass!!!

Regis,

We all have those feelings of insouciance (new word!) and inadequacy, self loathing...I know you can rise above it, you have before, and you will again. Somehow, I can't picture you just giving up...you have more strength and courage than I'll ever have. Know you're in my thoughts and prayers...excellent, poignant piece you've penned.

(((HUGS))) and love, Karla. :)

I agree we all do this. I just spent the past three weeks sitting down in the evening and doing nothing. Listening t music or petting the dogs is great fun for now. I am also getting over a sinus infection and am enjoying the process of getting well--which is a singular thing. So if people don't like it tell them to--oh never mind

Hi Regis:

I think we all have this feelings of "insouciance" at one time or another, but overcoming it take some times, I know. I hope you will disassociate with these feelings soon. Know that your friends are still here with if you need a lending ear.

Wonderful write to describe about these feelings, well-expressed.

Lots of love to you, keep well,

Sandie Msy Angel a.k.a. Sandie Angel :o)

I'll admit it...I had to look up the meaning of the title word.

"For what is reality?
It can be whatever
You want it to be
And if you don't like
What you see
Just readjust
Your reality...."

True to form, you have painted another masterpiece with your words....

Duke

I think this is a way we all feel sometimes, and I must admit that sometimes I like feeling this way. I think it is a way for the mind to escape for awhile, to be introspective and grow, which is always a positive thing- you are excellent at portaying in tight sentences complex feelings.

Well written poem, sometimes deep soul searching and introspection can lead us to a happier plane.

We choose reality. I know that sound so trite, and believe me, I haven't mastered controlling my world either. But, I keep telling myself the power is within me. I just need to exercise that option. ~ Sara

...Hello... and suddenly I am looking in the mirror here. Hmmm... and I thought I am just taking a trip round the Dark Side of The Moon. With me I probably change like the breeze from moment to moment... but the long, dark night of the soul is something a bit more chronic, I guess. I feel this Regis, even if I'm just having a lick of your lollypop (hope that doesn't sound as bad as it might... it isn't meant to! :)).. but at least you're recognising it, writing it and exorcising it... keep it flowin and it will flow and flow on out until suddenly the waters WILL flow clear again. I KNOW I've used this analogy before, but I know it's true. Just don't stem the tide - it's painful to let it keep comin, but it's the only way not to let it taint the source. You are precious: you know that in your head, I am sure, but sometimes the heart seems unable to respond to head knowledge. THEN you just walk on in faith of what you know to be true, until your heart catches up and can FEEL again! Sorry, I'm doin just what Stephanie Hilpert hates but damn me, you KNOW the poem's good anyway! And, OK, you might not think you care at the moment, but you WILL - when you look back. Retrospect is a wonderful thing... but you have to put one foot in front of another to get that perspective, right? :)) And "Sod it all" is a very healthy attitude to have once in a while... at least, for perfectionists like me. Let it all hang, Reg... You take care of YOU! LOL Kate xx

How beautifully you write of a place many of us have been, at least one time....just try to keep yourself open to "the possibilties"!

love and peace Regis, Carole

i pray that your life's ills ease soon; you are in my prayers, mon ami! very well done! and no, you have NOT lost your zeal; you still have plenty left--and much more to spare! excellent write!

(((HUGS))) and much love, ton ami a texas, karen lynn. :)

thanks for your review! much appreciated! :)

Such journeys into the shadow side of one's being often empower the pens of poets with wise and insightful words. These particular words in INSOUCIANCE are very wise, very insightful, and filled with enough light to put the shadows in their proper place:-)

This poem proves that the zeal is still there
thanks for sharing your thoughts
love and peace

I pray that your zeal is rekindled. I too know this feeling and take strength in those old words "This too shall pass"
No pain lasts forever. Even in this place, you write great poetry Regis. Sending you prayers...
Chanti

And I wll repeat myself in saying!!
This is so very sad dearest Regis...and I know this feeling so very well...but remember you are a God send and God sends only the very best my friend!!

Warmest Love TinkaSweets

Regis,

Depression is surely cave doom
but know this my friend,
spelunking in the dark
opens up a new room;
I am your spirit kin,
the point of light beaming
at the aperture of the
tunnel; follow me home
Regis, I'll lead the way
to a lighter, friendlier
day.

your literary camrade,

Sage

Maybe I misunderstood, but I was under the impression that the title meant that someone had what the following definition says: "The cheerful feeling you have when nothing is troubling you", seems a contradiction, but then again I do miss things that maybe I should read between the lines to see...sorry to sound negative, Regis, I do not mean to be so...Ed

Life gets all down from time to time.
But better times are just a heartbeat away.

Best wishes

sorry for the source of inspiration but so glad you penned this. it's well expressed. and, btw, I hope "he" knows it don't matter what they say. it matters who you are and what you choose. choose well, Dawn

The dark times in our life can feel like this. Great capture of this emotion.

The courage to write about it is a good thing. Sometimes we can't even do that. :-) ~~Nordette

No one knows the "highs" and "lows" of this life in the same way that an artist does. Sometimes, we,(artists) walk through those deep valleys, just right before the break through to a mountain top experience. Some of our best work can come to us during this low, or immediately after....(causing the breakthrough) I do hope that you are not worrying over anything. Most of all, I hope that your "breakthrough" is soon to come. P.S. Nothing wrong with being alone and dreaming! (smile)

This really captures the seemingly reality of life sometimes.
yet we must always remember to quit looking into ourselves and look outward and around at the beautiful world 'cause there is someone smiling right at you letting you know, or one know, who feels this way that Hey life is beautiful and so are you.
TIG

Yes I agree strongly with Lori on this one you have captured all too well the soul and heartbeat of the artist lost in the passions of his/her life.

Felix

Nothing wrong with seeing that "he" is me. I think you captured with words what many of us go through. Well done.

When we are happy it devours us,we see everything like sunshine, unfortunately negativity does the same, only it keeps us in darkness
feeling alone unwanted doubting everything especially our own worth.
The thing is, we are what we allow ourselves to be. Regis, I hope you will allow yourself to be happy, it's so much better for your health;-)!The poem is excellent!

Love,
Eileen

The thing I never liked about authors den is people analyze the poet and not the poem....beautiful, from the heart and I have felt this way many times. Thank God for our poetry, so we can bleed through our pen.

What Can I Say Problem Is With Most-You They Think Too Much_

Whole Idea(REALIST) Is Not To Think --BUT Too LISTEN!

Your Friend,TRASK

A fearful thing, my man, to allow the shadows control of your intellect. The thing about this sort of depression or whatever you desire to call it is that we tend to "worry" a tad too much about it and therefore it multiplies and grows from a two-inch pest to a fucking gorilla on your back. Email me if you need or want to.

Regis say it's not so.