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Tundra of the Soul

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Tundra of My Soul

Daniel Henry Rodgers

"For me, depression is not sadness. It's not having a bad day and needing a hug. It gave me a complete and utter sense of isolation and loneliness." - Kristen Bell

"A big part of depression is feeling really lonely, even if you're in a room full of a million people." - Lilly Singh

"I would cry and cry and cry. Just have to change and put on clothes, I said, 'I can't do this. I can't go outside. I have nothing that I want to do." - Sophie Turner

"I feel unspeakably lonely. And I feel - drained. It is a blank state of mind and soul I cannot describe to you as I think it would not make any difference. Also it is a very private feeling I have - that of melting into a perpetual nervous breakdown." - Anne Sexton

"The blues don't jump right on you. They come creeping. Shortly after my sixtieth I slipped into a depression like I hadn't experienced since that dusty night in Texas thirty years earlier. It lasted for a year and a half and devastated me." - Bruce Springsteen

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I am the tundra barren cold and numb A frozen wasteland where no light can reach Between these poles, my insatiate self-succumbs. In icy silence where no whimpers humb My thoughts like glaciers grind, erode, and breach I am the tundra, barren, cold, and numb. The Amazon within once vital thrumb Of life and hope now withers out of reach Between these poles my insatiate self-succumbs. Anxiety a howling blizzard's sumb Entombs me deep a creature bleached of speech. I am the tundra, barren, cold, and numb. Depression creeps permafrost of my slumb While echoes of lost joy my soul beseech Between these poles, my insatiate self-succumbs. Yet in this waste, where all seems overcome A seed of strength cracks ice defies the leech I am the tundra, barren, cold, and numb. Between these poles, my insatiate self-succumbs.

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Susan Ashley

Date: 1/4/2025 8:25:00 AM

Dear Daniel, the repeated verses are skillfully woven into impactful stanzas to create a rich, seamless tapestry of emotion and imagery that captivates my heart's imagination. The repetition melts into the whole of the poem and continues to grow the intensity of the experience of depression in such a potent, intimate, deeply moving and visceral way. Of course, your gentle sprinklings of alliteration, assonance and internal rhyme enhances the reader's experience with your verse. Warmest wishes for a wonderful 2025, my poet friend.. ~Susan

Regina Elliott

Date: 10/23/2024 7:14:00 AM

Such superior penning, Daniel on this compelling subject. Bravissimo! May you and your family have a blessed Wednesday, good friend. :)

Maria Williams

Date: 10/19/2024 9:02:00 PM

Trawling your older poems Dear Daniel and came across this gem. Your refrain 'my insatiate self-succumbs' is so well placed in every other verse as does 'cold and numb' nicely done. Hugs Maria.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 10/14/2024 8:57:00 PM

Great imagery in your villanelle. I really like when you use rhymed forms

Mike Bayles

Date: 9/29/2024 10:24:00 AM

Daniel, this is such a powerful poem, a right-on description of this experience. I imagine a lot of depressed souls will be able to relate to and find understanding in this piece.

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 10/7/2024 8:35:00 AM

Hello Mike, It was great reading your comments this morning. Being a counselor who helps clients who battle with depression, especially hard-to-treat depression, is sad. My job is to walk beside them and help them discover the wonders of life. Autumn Blessings, My Friend, Daniel

Paige Hind

Date: 9/27/2024 4:51:00 PM

Deep poetry...a new form for you? You did a wonderful job....

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 10/7/2024 8:33:00 AM

Dear Paige, This is a new form for me, and I needed a form that I could express the battle of depression and what it feels like. Thank you so much for your comments. Autumn Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

David Crandall

Date: 9/26/2024 8:33:00 AM

Hi Daniel, I have had some periods of depression, but not for a long while. This describes it well. I also like the rhyme scheme. I like "A seed of strength cracks ice defies the leech" I can see depression as a leech.

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 10/7/2024 8:32:00 AM

Hello David, Thank you for sharing a piece of yourself. I am so grateful for your visit! - Autumn Blessings, My Friend, Daniel

Joe Dimino

Date: 9/23/2024 7:07:00 AM

Yep, life is present always, hope is present always...it's just that, we are not always consciously present. Mind is everything. Guard yours well: choose carefully your subjects of intense focus, what you see, and hear (in other words, mentally take in, digest, imprint) (to become a part of you, eventually perhaps ALL! of you)...which leads to the most important~ love. Love makes and destroys. Love wisely. Love rules over all other nature. Do not love evil. Love your enemies...but not their evil. God always chooses to heal.... Free Will can be a bummer of unintended consequence. We created suffering and death -- time to choose Father's intended greater plan. Eternal health, prosperity and happiness -- it is all up to us.

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 9/23/2024 11:49:00 AM

Hello Joe, I am very thankful for your comments and yes, the Holy Spirit is the great healer. As my professors said at Liberty University when I got my counseling degree, God has given us two books, His written word and his created word. In His creation, we can discover many answers through His guidance and in His written word we can find many solutions. Together, He brings us great hope. Thanks, my brother for being here. - Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Victor Buhagiar

Date: 9/23/2024 5:25:00 AM

It is rare I suffer from depression, and it is a normal side effect. Real depression is something else. We need a cure for it, or else it will engulf us. A powerful poem. Blessings.

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 9/23/2024 6:45:00 AM

Dear Victor, I loved see your comments this morning. We do need a cure and it seems that depression is spreading more and more throughout all cultures and life. We know that ultimately the Lord can heal the unhealable but sometimes he chooses not to. - Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 9/22/2024 12:40:00 PM

This is very powerful. I rarely experience depression. Just the occasional blues . But I am sure many can relate to your fine writing here. Never heard that word sumb before. Should look it up. I love how this was succinct and rhymed

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 9/23/2024 6:43:00 AM

Dear Andrea, Thank you for your appreciative comments and it was a joy to read. Some of the words I purposefully added the b to the end, such as sumb to give it more of a mental thought block that comes with depression. Thanks for noticing that! - Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Ink Empress

Date: 9/22/2024 8:40:00 AM

Wow dear daniel! Where do i start! Praising how youv written this villanelle! I am in awe! I must admit i usually dont like refrain forms but your villanelle flows so well that i didnt even realise its a villanelle! Thats how brilliantly youv woven this using winter elements to depict the icy coldness of depression that is not just being sad! Depression is a disease that eats us and is challenging for so many, and youv quotes so many famous people here to let readers know even those that look happy can have mental health problems, theres no gender color race or social status for that. I love every word woven in this! Everything about this is powerful and easily makes it a fave for me! Sending you light today and always

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 9/23/2024 6:40:00 AM

Dearest Empress, Oh you have expressed it so well that depression does not discriminate on any basis. The villanelle was one of the choices that I thought about that would show a circle of depressive thoughts that haunt the soul. I believe many of us either fight depression or have family members and friends that are in constant battle. Thank you so much for your gracious visits and you have brought a lot of light into anything you write. - Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Len Gasun

Date: 9/22/2024 7:00:00 AM

This is a very informative and very creative poem on depression my dear poet friend. I learned a lot from this excellent villanelle of yours. Thanks a lot for sharing. Blessings to you always and your writings. Hugs

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 9/23/2024 6:37:00 AM

Dear Len, I was so grateful to read your comments today. It seemed like the Villanelle was the right model to use to bring out the emotional component that goes in depressive circles. Thank you and Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Robert Gorelick

Date: 9/21/2024 3:11:00 PM

Having been plagued with depression and anxiety disorder off and on my while adult life, I understand the excruciating discomfort and torment. I commiserate with your sentiments, thank you for sharing always enlightening. My best, Robert

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 9/23/2024 6:35:00 AM

Hello Robert, Depression is debilitating and can rob us of our joy for extended periods of time. I pray that each day is a day of healthy living for you and everyone who battles this disease. Thank you for your comments. - Blessings, My Friend, Daniel

Peonieslore xo

Date: 9/21/2024 1:34:00 PM

Havent seen such a well-crafted villanelle in a bit, pleasure reading

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 9/23/2024 6:33:00 AM

Dear Peonieslore, Thank you for your words of kindness and I am grateful. - Blessings, My Friend, Daniel

Sally Eslinger

Date: 9/21/2024 7:31:00 AM

Daniel, Herein your inner voice wrenches its way up the side of a pain-inflicting pit, clinging to an ounce (only) of of hope provided via the music of the viaelle, to lay out the case agnst depression, like a hannd’s reach/grasping out/above the pit for some/any relief…A right on, piercing plea/description. Wow! xoxo sally

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 9/21/2024 12:44:00 PM

Dear Sally, thank you for your note and yes many battle depression that sometimes is so hard to treat that leaves them in a state of hopelessness. - Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Hilda Greenhough

Date: 9/20/2024 9:20:00 PM

This is well written and informative about depression. The villanelle style suits it well. I learned a lot from it. A salute to you.

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 9/21/2024 12:37:00 PM

Dear Hilda, I am grateful for your visit and comments. I loved using the villanelle model to lay this out. - Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Panagiota Romios

Date: 9/20/2024 12:45:00 PM

Excellent villanelle, image and quotes, Daniel! Hope ths becomes a POTS or POTW! Thank you for an excellent presentation. Pangie!

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 9/21/2024 12:35:00 PM

Dear Pangie, thanks for your beautiful comments and I am always so appreciative. Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Sam Kauffman

Date: 9/20/2024 11:15:00 AM

Dear Daniel, WOW! Each line explodes with power and the power of your words driven by the bleakness of depression. Your use of the icy tundra is perfect as depression is a barren place. Yet, in this place hope emerges as a seed of faith to melt the ice. This is impressive, dear friend. A fav. Sending seeds of blessing to transform your tundra!

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 9/21/2024 12:34:00 PM

Dear Sam it is always a pleasure to read your comments. There is always hope for each individual and finding peace in their depression. But so many times there are individuals who remain in a state of depression with no escape. I pray for their healing and reigniting that hope. - Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel

Jay Narain

Date: 9/20/2024 9:28:00 AM

Nice poem on tundras on icy patch of land. I used to see a lot in Rocky mountain area. Soul in poem.

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 9/21/2024 12:30:00 PM

Thanks Jay, the Rocky Mountains are so extraordinary in so many ways. - Blessings, My Friend, Daniel

Clive Culverhouse

Date: 9/20/2024 5:22:00 AM

I enjoyed the words you used, their sound and similarirty of letter arrangement, very playful on a serious subject of which I too have suffered greatly. Well written Daniel.

Daniel Henry Rodgers
Date: 9/20/2024 5:33:00 AM

Hello Clive, I am sorry that you too battle depression. I wanted to create something shorter than most of what I ink that dealt directly with a disease that can devastate the soul. Villanelle was that form that I thought would lay it out with the repetition of thought that I am broken and I can't be fixed or understood. As a mental health counselor, it is a common occurrence among many who just want release. Thanks for your thoughts today, Clive. Have a wonderful weekend. - Blessings, My Friend, Daniel