Keith Bickerstaffe Poet Quatrain

On the Brink

Misbegotten pair, 
two-faced aggravation, 
the seduction of sweet solace 
or the inarticulation of despair. 

Uneasy 'neath the spell of peerless rapture, 
false respite from the ravages of fear, 
or defenseless and imperilled 
by a sadness that is too extreme to bear.

                    ********

...for all bi-polar sufferers.

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Lucilla Carrillo March 1, 2014 at 1:46 PM Nice poem Keith; I don't have that problem, but I have others, that are pretty bad. Thanks for sharing.... Lucilla

Agnes Bugeja February 4, 2014 at 2:35 AM Very nice poem

Funom Makama January 24, 2014 at 3:44 PM What a great poem. Its nice reading your piece once again. Keep on writing please.

Donna Jones December 25, 2013 at 6:41 PM Hey Keith....I hope this finds you well and enjoying family during the holiday season...your words touch.my heart a great deal..I sometimes wonder if everyone doesnt at times feel this way...in know I do..expressed tremendously...

Poet Destroyer A December 24, 2013 at 5:20 AM Keith--Dropping by with SMILES and CHRISTMAS CHEERS. Thank You for making this a great year for ALL OF US. --- May magic fill your days and all your dreams come true this holiday season. MERRY CHRISTMAS <3 Love Linda -The Sweetest Poet Destroyer

Kathryn Collins December 2, 2013 at 8:37 AM miss you.

Joe Maverick December 1, 2013 at 3:39 AM How are things Keith.? Haven't seen much of you for a while..'

Debbie Guzzi November 28, 2013 at 7:08 PM yes, even more destructive than this, certainly a hard row to hoe [sigh] Light & Love

Joseph Sergi November 27, 2013 at 5:02 PM great read very deep poem

Poet Destroyer A November 22, 2013 at 7:26 PM wow... This is me on the edge of everything... Keith, deep write... Linda

Andrea Dietrich November 19, 2013 at 4:02 PM an eloquent portrayal of this horrid disease. One of our friends' daughters just killed herself and she was bipolar. She did it during an "upswing" . He told us because she felt more in control doing it when she was not even in despair at that point. She was so bright and beautiful. such a waste.

Weston Gregory November 19, 2013 at 1:05 PM silence has its time...but this poem give me the feeling that this is not its time so to express is by all mean the best... love the write...

Joe Maverick November 12, 2013 at 2:17 PM What a challenge, so many people each with stuff to deal with Keith, each quantified by greater or lesser degrees of weight; and who knows wether just because of each illness being upon a person is the reality..Or the way each person views their hardship is where the problem hits in..?

Kelly Deschler October 29, 2013 at 11:26 PM I can relate to this poem, to some extent. I sometimes go through moods of deep sadness and despair. And, the one thing that helps me get over it, is writing about it. I believe that poetry can be very therapeutic. A terrific poem, with amazing descriptions. Very well done, Keith!...Thank you so much for the encouraging comments!

Karen Anglesey October 29, 2013 at 11:21 AM Stunning articulation of something so chaotic to define. "Misbegotten pair, two-faced aggravation," Stunning depth and eloquence with wise discernment for a condition that many people apparently suffer. I know this only from experiencing with a family member.

Kathryn Collins October 29, 2013 at 8:46 AM Dear Keith - "the inarticulation of despair" and "peerless rapture" So succinct your words yet so encompassing. My heart breaks for friends inflicted. Your understanding runs deep. love, Kathy

Laura Breidenthal October 28, 2013 at 2:31 PM Amazing work... I thought this was very powerful. I'll have to read this to my sister who enjoys poetry as well. She is bipolar, and it helps her to write her feelings down. At times, she can get so down that she feels like she simply can't bear it. You seem to understand very well. Always, Laura

Mandy Tams The Golden Girl October 28, 2013 at 4:43 AM a very distressing condition i am sure ,well put across Kieth xx

Anne-Lise Andresen October 28, 2013 at 4:02 AM - Skillfully written Keith!!!! - oxox // Anne-Lise :)