GEL, No offense taken. I understand the basis of your question, and also know that the majority of my posts have been quite sad. I find myself in my darkest hours with a need to post how I feel. Like LP said, I can't dump on my real life friends, so you folks recieve those bundles of joy.

Generally speaking, after I post, I feel better. The sad poetry isn't something I actively seek. I just happen to post the ones that seem most relevant to my sitch. The ones that make me feel better get posted from time to time as well. (e.e. #95, etc) I do find that if I am down and listen to mellow music, my mood gets worse (Pink Floyd, Animals for instance)

Believe me, I am not actively seeking depression. I am not searching for sad songs and poems to post. I am simply posting my thoughts and things that have recently moved me in some way. I honestly don't know why I feel compelled to post. Possibly because I don't really have anyone in my life to share these things with at the moment. For the most part, my friends aren't into poetry, or psychology, or many of the things I have been thinking about lately. When we hang out, I have a good time, but sometimes it feels like there is a mass stuff getting in my way of fully enjoying myself. You folks get that mass of stuff when it is on tap. (thanks )
I am actively learning to distract myself, in ways that nourish my spirit.

LP, I appreciate the points you made in your long post. They are quite applicable to my life, especially the self-defeating behavior and the need for reality checks. I received a few of those checks from friends in the last few days. (right into the boards)

JJ, I never said I was a poet Although my feet tend to show it, they're longfellows.

I am off to persue some distractions. THe trouble with distractions that I am drawn to is that they remind me of W. Every time a pass a creek that looks good for kayaking, guess who pops into my head. When I plant the garden (my next chore today) Guess who...

Tutto Passa