Is it ok to write poetry that's dark and depressing?

[Pilgrim]

I see the Psalmist talking about the pain of his own failures in Psalms 32 3ff and Psalms 51

These two Psalms always bring great comfort to my heart. Thank you...

 

[FireDragon76]

There is nothing wrong with that.

 

[Pilgrim]

(Psalms 73) "Whom Have I In Heaven But You?" by Sons of Korah

 

[WilliamBo]

67 Before I was afflicted I went astray:

but now have I kept thy word.​

71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted;

that I might learn thy statutes.​

Can someone explain to me exactly what these two verses mean? How was he Afflicted as it says in verse 71? How was he Afflicted before he went astray? What exactly does that mean?

 

[WilliamBo]

.

 

[Lazarus Short]

I offer this old poem of mine to show that a Christian CAN write a dark and depressing poem. I made the following note: Rock bottom, mud bottom, carpet bottom. I found Songs of Ascent in the Psalms, and came up with the idea of a Song of Descent. It fit. DD 11-22-2010

A Song of Descents


I thought I was going somewhere,

but here I am, redflagged, God’s hand on me.

My future shimmered, but now fades –

a heat wave on a summer highway.

My past returns, a winter houseguest;

I’m in for room wandering, and slow tears.

Spring comes, but I wish the brown fields back.



I thought I was flying,

but I’m here in woods, mired in mud,

map in hand, but lost anyway.

I want to be far away – can I go?

My heart is: yes! Yes! My spirit no:

until they lie down together at evening.

But next morning, the heart cajoles again.



I thought someone was with me,

but I’m alone, and facedown on the carpet,

ticking off days & weeks of two lives severed.

I see God’s hand in decisions, divisions,

and the end of my own ways – I give them up.

Between sobs, I find words to pray with.

I’m down, but He’s down here with me.

 

[WilliamBo]

I offer this old poem of mine to show that a Christian CAN write a dark and depressing poem. I made the following note: Rock bottom, mud bottom, carpet bottom. I found Songs of Ascent in the Psalms, and came up with the idea of a Song of Descent. It fit. DD 11-22-2010

A Song of Descents


I thought I was going somewhere,

but here I am, redflagged, God’s hand on me.

My future shimmered, but now fades –

a heat wave on a summer highway.

My past returns, a winter houseguest;

I’m in for room wandering, and slow tears.

Spring comes, but I wish the brown fields back.



I thought I was flying,

but I’m here in woods, mired in mud,

map in hand, but lost anyway.

I want to be far away – can I go?

My heart is: yes! Yes! My spirit no:

until they lie down together at evening.

But next morning, the heart cajoles again.



I thought someone was with me,

but I’m alone, and facedown on the carpet,

ticking off days & weeks of two lives severed.

I see God’s hand in decisions, divisions,

and the end of my own ways – I give them up.

Between sobs, I find words to pray with.

I’m down, but He’s down here with me.

That's great... thank you very much for sharing that

 

[SteveIndy]

I've been writing poetry several times a week for the past month or two about my feelings with my walk with God and life in general. But I've been going through a really hard time so the Poetry is really dark and depressing. I'm just expressing how I feel. Is that okay? Is that healthy do you think? Here's an example of a poem I wrote today:

Poem 14
9-9-18
Mood: confusion, frustration, slight improvement in life

When will it end? This confusion and terror?
Will I ever see freedom?
I feel like I have been drowning for so long...
I can't look anyone in the eyes because I'm so ashamed.
Why am I going through this? Why am I this confused? I am supposed to be at peace.
It feels like things might be improving, but how much longer until I am free? Why am I this isolated? Oh what a Wretched man I am!



What does that poem sound like to you?​

I too write poetry and some of it starts off dark but ends in the light. King David had much to be depressed about and he wrote about his darkness. With his word came truth; he confessed to God how he felt, but his Father already knew, but was delighted to hear it from his mouth. We live in a fallen and depressed world and sometimes it rubs off on us, that is why it is necessary for us to always bring light and truth out from the pages of the Book that will lift our heads and keep us moving forward. Keep writing until your words turn from darkness into light. It will happen just don't give up or seek worldly wisdom. Keep telling God how you feel and let Him heal you.

The Questionable Cross

by Steve Blackwell

The cross is conspicuously and inescapably
Opposed to everything I think and see,
And I'm to trust and be willing;
When in His mercy there's killing?

The cross was repugnant and incongruity
I could not accept this, this blood-love seizing me.
That mystery possessed me, though resisting unbending,
God's goodness toward some, and to others life ending.

Then my own soul lay wounded, God's casualty,
In thought and in body, still determined to flee.
A free wind in the world, against truth blowing,
Like a bird in a window, I could escape unknowing.

His Book's words spoke soundly, but His justice uneased,
His price for acquittal no man could appease.
So His Son paid it all, with no sense of loss
He laid it all on the ground and then climbed on a cross.

The end of the story is glorious indeed,
God's justice is severe and yet now we're set free.
I am yet in this world and will rejoice at passing,
To be lost in Christ's love for life everlasting.

 

[Roadrunner3]

Excellent poem, SteveIndy, and I have struggled with those same ideas as well. There have been some great poems in this thread, I hope WillamBo returns to share more with us.

 

[afishamongmany]

Thanks SteveIndy - your poem speaks of what is 'dark and depressing' yet itself gives light and uplift.
Yo WilliamBo - check in sometime and let us know how you're doing. ><>