Poetry Day: The ‘Joy’ of Going Mad

Posted on May 21, 2026 by Charles Yallowitz

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(Not as joyous as I thought before I read it again.  My anxiety used to be so bad that I would have full body spasms or partial ones.  These were entirely at night after I was jolted awake by my sleep apnea plus anxiety.  Hasn’t happened since late 2018 . . . In conjunction with another life event, which I won’t mention in public.  Weird.)

Interesting sensations
Beyond my self control
I feel a key turning
At the skull’s squishy base
Random bouts of blinking
Joined by thoughts
Of my brain’s misfiring
Staring into space
Pondering why I stare
Yet unable to break away
I sense a fraying
At the edge of nerves
Seconds before a spasm
One hand twitches
As if conducting songs
While the other is a lump
Hanging dead at my side
Is this the physicality
Of my plunge into madness
Has my mind already gone
And left my husk behind
In its feeble attempts
To continue on

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About Charles Yallowitz

Charles E. Yallowitz was born, raised, and educated in New York. Then he spent a few years in Florida, realized his fear of alligators, and moved back to the Empire State. When he isn't working hard on his epic fantasy stories, Charles can be found cooking or going on whatever adventure his son has planned for the day. 'Legends of Windemere' is his first series, but it certainly won't be his last.
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10 Responses to Poetry Day: The ‘Joy’ of Going Mad

  1. L. Marie's avatar L. Marie says:
    May 21, 2026 at 10:20 am

    Wow. Very poignant. Maybe this poem will help someone else express what they are going through too.

    Liked by 1 person

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  2. Julian Froment's avatar Julian Froment says:
    May 21, 2026 at 11:40 am

    Nice poem. Very descriptive and questioning of the state of one’s life.

    Liked by 1 person

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  3. Ionia Froment's avatar Ionia Froment says:
    May 21, 2026 at 11:58 am

    Very expressive. Hugs.

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  4. John W. Howell's avatar John W. Howell says:
    May 21, 2026 at 4:23 pm

    Love the word husk and it is used very well. Super poem, Charles.

    Like

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  5. DebyFredericks's avatar DebyFredericks says:
    May 22, 2026 at 11:10 am

    Sometimes we need to be reminded that parts of our life are better now. You treated your sleep apnea and made other personal changes. Life is still challenging, but in comparison?

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