A Penny For Your Thoughts

Inspired by the following quote:  "Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved." — Helen Keller


Why am I crying now; there must be a reason Is there something my conscious mind’s trying to hide Or could it simply be this humid, warm season The torment of seeking answers can’t be denied There are days when I wake with a smile on my face Grateful for many blessings that have been bestowed But after nightmares, I feel I’ve fallen from grace Anomalies exist in my genetic code Like my Mom, I struggle to break from depression Never understanding why feelings overwhelm Perhaps I pay for a forgotten transgression Is it a smile or a frown today at the helm Sometimes I have tendencies to internalize But the causes of these I cannot analyze
*Written March 14, 2015, for Sara’s “A Penny for your Thoughts” contest.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2015



Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 7/4/2017 10:39:00 AM
What a well written piece Carolyn, I believe we've all been there at some point in time. I think it is I Who should be giving you the penny for those heartfelt thoughts that you just conveyed.
Login to Reply
Date: 12/18/2016 5:59:00 PM
Seeing this one for the first time, dear Carolyn. Add this to your other problems and I think you are most remarkable for holding up under so many trials. I hope this finds you well. Would love to hear from you again soon!!
Login to Reply
Date: 4/12/2015 7:31:00 PM
Congratulations Carolyn on your win!
Login to Reply
Date: 4/12/2015 7:30:00 PM
A masterfully written sonnet! I suffer from diagnosed depression. I am more than thankful for everything God has blessed me with. My illness however takes over the better of me and the dark keeps me in its hold! This is an important write! A Fav!
Login to Reply
Date: 3/26/2015 2:38:00 PM
Carolyn, Thanks for participating in my contest..I especially like the quote from Helen Keller.She had to be a very strong person..Sara
Login to Reply
Devonshire Avatar
Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 4/1/2015 4:31:00 PM
Indeed, Sara, I have always admired Helen Keller. As a young girl, I had a blind friend and she told me all about Helen. Then I saw "The Miracle Worker" and it made me cry to see how she had to struggle to communicate. Diane was much like Helen.
Date: 3/25/2015 7:50:00 PM
Lovely Carolyn! Congratulations on your win. Light & Love
Login to Reply
Date: 3/25/2015 3:07:00 AM
What a great lady you chose for inspiration Carolyn. Your poem is beautiful. Congratulations on your wonderful win! Just yesterday I was trying to teach my 3 yr. old g.daughter Carissa, to spell her name. She didn't want to listen and I captured her attention by showing her how Helen Keller learned to spell her name. Helen is truly an inspiration for us all.
Login to Reply
Date: 3/24/2015 6:58:00 PM
Congrats my friend on your win and your strong rhyming sonnet! I have one sister and three brothers that suffer due to depression as has our mother all her life. Great write and awesome sharing for others to read.. A7
Login to Reply
Date: 3/24/2015 3:37:00 PM
Thought provoking poem, Carolyn, which I can very much relate to also. Congratulations on your nice win. Sandra
Login to Reply
Date: 3/24/2015 8:58:00 AM
Beautifully penned my dear poetess! Congrats on big win!
Login to Reply
Date: 3/24/2015 8:57:00 AM
*hugs* Congrats Carolyn...
Login to Reply
Date: 3/18/2015 8:49:00 AM
Dear Carolyn, I can relate with some of the lines here.... But i think on how we will cope on such that will be the bottomline. :) like the quote.. :)! hugs//olive eloisa
Login to Reply
Date: 3/14/2015 4:26:00 PM
Your thoughts are worth more than a penny, Carolyn!! You deliver a lot in this lovely sonnet; the rhyming is delightful, too. Many are those who get bouts of depression, but it's only natural with all the problems that we have to face. It is how that depression is tackled that makes all the difference. Poetry is an ideal remedy! // Hugs ... paul
Login to Reply
Devonshire Avatar
Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 3/15/2015 1:48:00 AM
Make that my father's genes in the last line :D
Devonshire Avatar
Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 3/15/2015 1:47:00 AM
Yes, Paul, writing about our feelings can help us deal with them better. I only feel sad on occasions; my mother battled depression daily. I'm lucky enough to have some of my mother's genes.
Date: 3/14/2015 3:41:00 PM
Very deep write Carolyn..Many prople can relate to these feelings including me....keep smiling...hugs
Login to Reply
Date: 3/14/2015 3:14:00 PM
Very sweet words, depression is a terrible thing that seems to inflict itself on beautiful souls.
Login to Reply
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
Store
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter
Hide Ad