Meet The Depressed Poet, Doc Dalton, The Man Who Shut Out The Craziness In His Head, Through The Simple Act Of Poetry

Mental illness is not a friend to anyone. It is devastating to many and can rip away your sanity at any given moment without any notice whatsoever. It can keep you a prisoner within your own mind and hold you captive for long periods of time. That old saying, you can be in a crowded room yet feel all alone is true for many who suffer from mental illness. It’s a journey of one day at a time for some and one minute at a time for countless others. 

Hospitalized on a few occasions for his depression, during one of those times a doctor suggested to him that he try his hand at poetry. At that moment states Dalton, I thought the doctor was crazier than I was, but I was locked in, could not leave so I said why not and to my surprise, that was the point when things seem to get a little better. It was a positive change and one that I needed. I started writing about things that I never thought much about. Feelings and emotions were coming out of me like never before. But the most important thing was, when I wrote, the craziness within my own head left, and the calm walked in and that was the greatest feeling of all. Even though I still suffer from depression today, that was the time when things in many ways changed and it gave me a more solid foundation with what was taking place in my life.

When asked about his personal thoughts on his writings, Doc always says the same thing. I do not consider myself a good writer and the reason for that is, I am just not. I do not even consider myself a good writer and again the reason for that is, I am just not. I always say that I am just a man, who stumbles through his words, so he can make it through his days. No More, No Less. 

I have been incredibly lucky to receive messages from people telling me they enjoyed my poetry, and it touched them or helped them in some way. To me, that is a bonus, because while writing those words, I was trying to keep my own head together and while doing so, my simple yet not perfect words, inspired someone else. What more can I man like myself ask for?

What else does The Depressed Poet have going on these days. He is the host of a podcast called, The Coffee and Prayer Series. It is just some simple talk on some simple topics that I feel people might be interested in. When asked why the name The Coffee and Prayer Series, Dalton says, I am a believer in Prayer and feel it is important, at least it is in my life. As far as coffee, at this stage of my life, coffee is my so-called drug of choice Doc says laughing. Also, take note, a new book Dalton has coming out late spring/early summer 2021 called, Simply Compassion.

The Depressed Poet is doing his best to keep his head in a positive place and hopes that in some small way, he can motivate others to do the same. To find out more about The Depressed Poet, you can visit his website at www.DocDalton.com. Also you can take a moment to read Doc’s newest poem below. Hope you enjoy. 

A SIMPLE PRAYER, A SHOT OF WHISKEY AND HIS 22
© Written by: The Depressed Poet, Doc Dalton – March 3, 2021

His hands were folded tightly in a moment of silent Prayer
It’s been a long and hellish journey wondering, does anyone even care
A road that’s been long, dark and hazy that never seems to end
With countless twists, bumps and turns but yet, never willing to bend

With tears in his eyes, from such a long painful day
Looking for the Lord to tell him, all will be OK
He wonders, how much longer can these old legs travel
That now have become his daily pain, with even more uphill battles

Years pass quickly in this old man’s tired dreams
Hurt and confused from all that it was, and all that it still seems
But still, there’s a chance to turn these wrongs into rights once again
With some hope, faith, and luck, praying to God that this won’t be his end

With open fields of beauty, in front of the eyes of his tortured mind
Knowing there are more uncertain journeys throughout even more uncertain times
It’s been a life of constant hell, this old man has traveled through
Sadly now, it has all comes down to, a simple Prayer, a shot of whiskey, and yes, his 22

It’s a hell of a way to go, but why in the hell should he stay
Just more tears added to his story of what’s left of his finale days
With his head hung low, questioning, if he has truly done his best 
While bruised, battered and torn thinking, has he failed this test

With one last thought he wonders, do you really love me, do you Lord 
Or will the end come quickly from a life he can no longer afford
With thoughts so dark, while wishing peace would finally come his way
Yet knowing, peace didn’t come yesterday, so why would peace come today

But still there are opened fields of beauty in front of the eyes of his tortured mind
Knowing there are more uncertain journeys throughout even more uncertain times
It’s been a life of constant hell, this old man has traveled through
Sadly now, it all comes down to, a simple Prayer, a shot of whiskey, and yes, his 22