When I began my extended existential crisis in kindergarten--which actually seems like a common age for many people to get existential issues lodged in their awareness--I wish someone would have said this to me. The knowledge that despair can be a cleanser, a solvent, is not a message most people share. But it's true. When you know despair for what it is, you either remain stuck with it or you realize that there has been more to living than despairing. But, for some of us, we need to be honest with and honor that despair before we can move on. It's helpful to know that others have faced it, even though that doesn't make it any easier. While you're in it, it may seem the cure is "worse than the disease", but if you can take it, it can be a cure.
Despair is powerful
medicine.
Too strong for some.
Despair is the truth--
nowhere to run,
nowhere to hide.
Despair is an antidote
for this world's deceit.
The cure
may be worse than
the disease.
If some part of you
wants more than despair
in this world
and won't settle for deceit,
now is the time;
bring it out.
Copyright 2007 Todd Mertz