Depression’s Crown 

by Jeannie E. Roberts

              "She conquered her demons and wore her scars like wings." ―Atticus

Have you known the dreary bird―

kissed its ashen lips―

            wept a time or two―

            crossed the dark abyss?

If you've crossed the dark abyss,

you've worn a mournful cape,

            beheld the leaden vault,

            become a somber shape.

As a somber shape,

did you beseech the light―

            plead for its emergence―

            see beyond the night?

If you saw beyond the night,

did you hear an ancient call―

            recognize its whisper―

            fly its hallowed halls?

If you flew its hallowed halls,

did hope release your flight―

            launch your gratitude―

            infuse your wings with sight?

     

Infused with wings of sight,

you've flown with ashen kiss,  

            wept a time or two,    

            as you crossed the dark abyss.  

* * * * *

Editor's Note: This poem was originally called "Depression’s Crown Sonnet," and posted as such. A hyper-vigilant reader took issue with that, it not being in a traditional sonnet form, so the author offered to re-title the poem and surrender some artistic license in the process.

Jeannie E. Roberts has authored six books, including The Wingspan of Things, a poetry chapbook (Dancing Girl Press, 2017), Romp and Ceremony, a full-length poetry collection (Finishing Line Press, 2017), Beyond Bulrush, a full-length poetry collection (Lit Fest Press, 2015), and Nature of it All, a poetry chapbook (Finishing Line Press, 2013). Her second children's book, Rhyme the Roost! A Collection of Poems and Paintings for Children, was recently released by Daffydowndilly Press, an imprint of Kelsay Books, 2019. She is Poetry Editor of the online literary magazine Halfway Down the Stairs. When she’s not writing or editing, you can find her drawing and painting, or outdoors photographing her natural surroundings.