In the Storm's Aftermath

our laughter
on the beach. . .
the darkening sky 

One day our boat was demolished in a storm that came up suddenly on what had begun as a sunny July day. My husband had recently recovered from a nervous breakdown. Our boat had been his main means of escape on summer weekends, so this event, which would merely have saddened the ordinary guy, totally devastated him. 

I could liken this calamitous day to the worst part of living with a person who suffers from “managed” depression/anxiety. Days can be sunny, but when the storms strike, even the best pharmaceuticals  can curtail neither the sometimes disastrous effects on the mind of one who suffers depression nor the entire family’s feelings of isolation and debilitating despair.  That day at the lake would top my list of the many times in my life that I would choose never to have to relive.

the children’s cries
mingled with my helpless pleas. . . 
his vacant stare

For the What I Wouldn't Want to Relive contest of Black Eyed Susan
(the actual story of this day at the beach was told with more details
in a past haibun of mine posted Oct. 1, 2013 and named Fickle Nature)
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

Poem

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Ponce Avatar
May 16, 2014 at 12:34 PM
Spine-chilling even if it's now just a snapshot of a past event. It could still happen I know but you're frozen its horrors in time with this artwork
Watson Avatar
February 19, 2014 at 10:32 AM
I feel almost like a stalker at times but your poetry is that good . Delightful as always.
A  Avatar
February 10, 2014 at 4:21 PM
Congrats, Andrea... I WOULDN'T want to relive this either. Loving it ~SKAT~
Phookan Avatar
January 20, 2014 at 8:50 AM
Andrea, this is a well written narrative (Haibun,, I don't know this form yet),, but this is one of the saddest experiences one goes through. reading that part.".....mingled with.... his vacant stare", it tugged at my heart. Send you hugs my good friend, may God always give you strength and be with you!
Kendrick Avatar
January 12, 2014 at 3:38 PM
Way to go great winning work..Congrats..Sara
Liwayway Avatar
January 11, 2014 at 1:25 AM
fantastic piece, very beautiful!! congratulations on your grand win friend Andrea ;) thanks for everything. Happy New Year ;) hugs ;)
Gasun Avatar
January 10, 2014 at 12:24 PM
An excellent poem and a very good form my dear friend Andrea. My hearty congratulations on your super win! Biggest hugs! love lots, Leonora
Lamoureux Avatar
January 10, 2014 at 8:31 AM
Congratulations Andrea, exceptional piece.
Mehta Avatar
January 9, 2014 at 9:24 PM
Beautiful haibun and congrats on the win, Andrea.
Richards Avatar
January 9, 2014 at 10:05 AM
Such a difficult thing it is to reveal the heartache of depression, and yet by doing so, it helps others. That is admirable, Andrea....nicely done! Congratulations once again to you!
Horsch Avatar
January 9, 2014 at 8:46 AM
Rebecca below was right about this being a sad story Andrea, But I look at anything that is a bad situation and I can see some good happen from it. When the bad is gone. It always leaves room for the good. A well deserved win....Congrats.....Hugs...Roger
Sirak Avatar
December 17, 2013 at 7:43 AM
A sad and heartfelt write, told with the emotions of the soul which makes for the best poetry. This will do well in the contest
Chircop Avatar
December 16, 2013 at 3:02 PM
Misted my eyes my dearest friend andrea..Adding it to my favs..Hugs
Deschler Avatar
December 15, 2013 at 10:56 PM
I have a family member who also suffers from depression, so I can relate to the feelings that you expressed in this poem. I am sure that this was not an easy subject to write about. Well done, Andrea! Good luck in the contest!...Thank you for the wonderful comments. I appreciate it very much!
Cavanaugh Avatar
December 15, 2013 at 2:32 PM
Storms can be devastating and heartbreaking. Good luck in the contest.
Austin Avatar
December 15, 2013 at 1:42 PM
Listen to the storm movement of Rimsky Korsakow's Scheherazade. The boat is sunk in a storm. But then this heavenly movement to calm the troubled breast. Love, daver
Peterson Avatar
December 14, 2013 at 10:57 PM
Oh my, such travail, intimately told. A friend and I rented a small sailboat and took it out for our first sail ever on a lake in Denver. A storm came up, and I was pitched into the water where I nearly drowned. I can keenly relate to this, as well as my intractable depression, the best treatment for which is poetry. Suffice to say, I can relate to your poem, told so compellingly and with such heartfelt passion.
Horne Avatar
December 14, 2013 at 3:41 PM
such a sad write here, andrea. I know how awful this must have been for you
Melugin Avatar
December 13, 2013 at 8:07 PM
A great written piece, so descriptive and emotional. You are a wonderful poet Andrea. Merry Christmas, chuck
Loving Iii Avatar
December 13, 2013 at 1:10 PM
very intresting. i'm drawn in and i wonder and i hope that you are a comfort in his life. remember more that a boat he has his wonderful wife. write him a poem and give it to him.he'll appriciate it.
Hunter Avatar
December 13, 2013 at 1:09 PM
A great write, Andrea. It should be a winner. Depression is a terrible thing and if I compare his loss to something I could lose that is that important to me...it's an awful thought. You captured it so well.
Anish Avatar
December 13, 2013 at 12:14 PM
This is a touching piece. I am wriiting from Jerusalem - where there is a blizzard ! I did get to see the tunnels beneath the Kotel and also walked down the street where Jesus walked his last walk. Peace & Love Matthew Anish
Ekechukwu Avatar
December 13, 2013 at 9:58 AM
Hope this didn't actually happened to u,well I reserve my comment but it was a nice poem with a detailed write...kudos! Yeah thanks,I can't win more contests without you soupers being a force that moves me on. Thanks for ur warm wishes. Love lots, Based On Belief.
Lamoureux Avatar
December 13, 2013 at 8:05 AM
Sad and moving piece. I'm sorry to hear this happened.
Johnson Avatar
December 12, 2013 at 10:19 PM
This is sad Andrea. In answer to your question about my sad one. Yes, It is true. My husband died on Thanksgiving Day. My first husband died on he 4th of July and was buried on my birthday.
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