Krisis does not always come with a bang
a storm heralded by a clap of thunder
or even a whimper, a cry for help
krisis can come like a big cat
creeping, camouflaged the colour of
golden grass until so close to it’s prey
escape is impossible
Pity the partner who too, close by has
failed to spot the marauder
– to sound the alarm until too late
and krisis has sprung, jaws locked on
to suffocate – flight impossible, frozen still
For something that arrives so quietly
depression nevertheless rules the roost
changes more lives than the victim’s
spreads it’s blight to partners
children, siblings, friends
and moments of freedom
are hard won – the result
of planning, cajoling
caring persuasion
and often a short reprieve
results in a reactive tightening
of the snare that binds
– would have the victim
knaw off their own leg
if only they had the energy
The only hope – to roll back the
malaise in the same way it came
a single step at a time
hoping a habit will take hold
and the novel become the norm
once more…
© Andrew Wilson, 2025
Over at dVerse Poets Pub, paeansunplugged in Poetics asks us to “write a poem about any pivotal moment in your life that left you with gnawing regrets or you could cover the entire gamut from anger to forgiveness and reconciliation. In short, you will be writing about a krisis in your personal life.”
Very heartfelt poem Andrew.
It is indeed Sadje, thanks for visiting…
You’re most welcome
I love the sound of the title, Andrew, a mixture of sibilance and the crack of a ‘k’ sound, and the simile and alliteration in krisis coming like a big cat ‘creeping, camouflaged the colour of golden grass’. I agree with you that depression rules the roost.
Thanks, Kim, writing in the wee small hours…
and the novel become the norm
once more…
……..well, if I was looking for a happy ending! The idea of a crisis not starting with a bang made me really think, and as I meandered down through your verse it really gave me pause for thought…excellent piece, even if taking the plunge with you was a heavy one…
Thanks Ain! My partner’s depression is the reason I have so much time to write but I would much rather she was up and about…
So very well written, Andrew! Depression hides in the shadows and haunts in the dark. It is a lonely traveler, rarely understood by those around us.
Thanks Dwight – you are quite right…
Your opening stanza is so stunning in its accuracy. Depression is not easy to live with and is equally debilitating for the entire family as you rightly mentioned. I do hope, “hoping a habit will take hold
and the novel become the norm
once more…
I can understand why this kept you up through the night and I can’t thank you enough for sharing this.
Thank you Punam, it helps to share and I thank you for your prompt 💜
In my anonymous AA life, I’ve had serveral friends who never drank again but committed suicide because of depression … Of one a fellow said, some people are like ducks, so smooth and fine on the surface and paddling like hell underneath. Managing the black dog while it eats them from within. Afterwards everyone blames themself for not seeing it sooner. But its such a private hell and walking through it (or not) seems a fate decided long before or a decision between the individual and their quiet powers.
A wonderful opening stanza.
An intense piece of writing. The opening line speaks loudly even if krisis doesn’t come with a bang. One can feel it. Depression and feelings of melancholy are difficult to overcome. One day, one step at a time.