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The Edge of Reason

The edge of reason Teetering on the sharp edge of reason pressure mounts as calamity hits hard lightning strikes the mind in any season reality transforms splitting apart It's a quick descent into delusion truth ricochets inside the minds chasm forevermore mired in confusion as synapses short circuit in spasm Reason vacillates between love and hate foolishness tortures this once brilliant mind memories languish in this altered state sanity vanishes into space and time Hope dies quickly caring for the insane but love soldiers on, as memories remain. September 02,2017

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Barbara Barry-Nishanian

Date: 2/3/2018 8:40:00 PM

John...July morning gave me your name said you were a spiritual "brother." Your works are beautiful, and a gift that witnesses to the hearts of all those who you know ..love you. words of beauty will flow from your pain back into your heart. Prayers for you and I will follow you now.

John Hamilton
Date: 2/4/2018 12:17:00 PM

Thanks Barbara I do appreciate your kind words.

Susan Ashley

Date: 11/15/2017 9:35:00 PM

John, a very moving and tragic write so beautifully expressed You last two lines are poignantly emotional. Stay strong and I hope things are improving my friend!

Susan Ashley
Date: 11/16/2017 8:36:00 PM

John, I'm so happy to hear that your lovely wife is improving. I'm sure your love has a lot to do with it and your love will continue to be the beacon of shining hope and love that she will need to find her way back home to you.. my warmest wishes to you and your lovely wife John..

John Hamilton
Date: 11/16/2017 12:54:00 PM

Thanks Susan for your kind thoughts and comments, it's now 3 months and my wife is improving, but will be a long time I fear before coming home, thanks for your interest!

Robert Lindley

Date: 10/11/2017 12:09:00 AM

I am sorry you must face this great tragedy my friend. Your verses are inspired it seems to me for they are awesome. Stay strong my friend, facing such heartbreaking reality one thinks all is lost but have faith and one survives.. God bless....

John Hamilton
Date: 10/11/2017 11:20:00 AM

Thanks Robert for your kind words, they have bolstered me up as I was feeling low today, yes it is a challenge to be on my own again after 37 years of marriage, but as you say faith will help me through, without prayer I would not be standing, God is great! Thanks again, you are a good man!

Lynn Marie

Date: 9/16/2017 2:32:00 AM

Your poem is full of many truths on a much needed topic hidden far too long. The last two lines are gut wrenching yet I feel your strength and heart in each word. I am moved by your plight John and wish you and your wife a safe, healing journey with love. You both are in my thoughts. xo blessings, lynn

John Hamilton
Date: 9/16/2017 10:43:00 AM

So kind of you to visit with such encouraging words Lynn, it is difficult when the person you love disappears before your eyes, and there's nothing that can stop it or change it. It's such a desperate helplessness, she is receiving treatment and they say 4 more weeks to see if the medication is working or not. Thanks for your concern and best wishes!

Joanna Daniel

Date: 9/15/2017 6:58:00 AM

It must be heartbreaking, John, but don't give up, hold on, my prayers are with you and your wife!!! I wish I had read this poem before.. I've been away from Soup for sometime...

John Hamilton
Date: 9/15/2017 11:54:00 AM

No worries Jo, we all have lives outside of the soup, I'm thankful for the loving support of friends and family, and for your kind concern, and best wishes. Thanks for visiting with your comforting words.

Winged Warrior

Date: 9/5/2017 9:55:00 AM

I feel for you and your wife John...I lost mine back in the early eighties...we divorced, due to some type of mental issue...back then there was very little or no help at all...she had many problems...hang in there my friend...show all the love and support that you can...a prayer for the both of you...god bless you and your wife...^WW^

John Hamilton
Date: 9/5/2017 11:37:00 AM

Thanks so much WW it has been very difficult seeing her in this condition, and now she won't see me, so pretty tough. Thanks for your concern and compassion!

James Inman

Date: 9/4/2017 9:46:00 AM

Your sadness overwhelms me John. I feel sorrow for your wife and your situation. I wish for the two of you a beautiful new sunrise and the promise of a soon awakened dawn.

John Hamilton
Date: 9/4/2017 10:41:00 AM

So very encouraging your words James, it is a shocking and sad situation, but our love has conquered a lot of adversity, and no doubt will beat this one, it may just take a long time, thanks for your kind words.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 9/3/2017 9:14:00 PM

Very well portrayed, John. I love how you said that reason vacillates between love and hate. Some profound lines in this poetry. I just realized you had info in the other box. So sorry this has happened to you, John. My dad suffers horribly from mental illness and it's not an easy thing to deal with. My best wishes for your wife.

John Hamilton
Date: 9/3/2017 9:41:00 PM

Thanks Andrea she hasn't eaten for four days, and she still is not medicated, I don't understand why they wait so long, she won't take pills so will be a long time to recover, thanks for your kind words.

Jan Allison

Date: 9/3/2017 7:28:00 PM

oh John what an incredibly touching poem. I am so sorry to hear your news. Mental illness like this must put such a strain on a relationship and my thoughts are with you:-( hugs jan xx

John Hamilton
Date: 9/3/2017 9:10:00 PM

Thanks Jan, it is very hard, I would never wish this on any one, I guess I'll learn more compassion at least, thanks for the kind comment!

Carole Duet

Date: 9/3/2017 12:45:00 AM

This is incredible, John. The wording is wonderful but the insight and love it shows is even better. Very touching.

John Hamilton
Date: 9/3/2017 12:52:00 AM

Thanks Carole, I appreciate the kind words!

Becca Teagan

Date: 9/3/2017 12:25:00 AM

I'm so sorry to hear about your wife, John. I know it must be so heartbreaking. Always keep those memories close to you.

John Hamilton
Date: 9/3/2017 12:40:00 AM

Thanks Becca, a friend told me the same thing happened to her husband and it took 5 years to recover, it's a test of love and devotion for sure, thanks for your encouragement!

Old Man Emu

Date: 9/2/2017 11:55:00 PM

Wow John, for those who have been touched in this way know the frustration and pain, you have put it into perspective and eloquently so in this sonnet. Kind regards to you. Craig

John Hamilton
Date: 9/3/2017 12:25:00 AM

Thank you for your kind words Craig, I thought I could empathize with others, but you don't REALLY know how it feels, until it happens to you.

Laura Breidenthal

Date: 9/2/2017 11:33:00 PM

Wow, John...thank you for sharing this immensely beautiful sonnet with us. Those last two lines are golden...I wish you all the best; I'm really sorry to hear about your wife dear. That love will hold you all together, I know it. Please keep using poetry as your outlet - your work is beautiful. Always, Laura

John Hamilton
Date: 9/2/2017 11:38:00 PM

Thanks so much Laura, it is so painful to see her this way, she is my inspiration and she doesn't want to see me, thinks I'm trying to harm her, it's so bizarre.