Analysis of "How Deep?"



Always strong and one for all
Until you break and down you fall
Perfection it was, thus anxiety ensued.
No longer successful and depression pursued.
Failure at its finest, or so I was once thought to believe.
Here, though I’m more aware; stronger, but not quite free.
The ball and chain is heavy.
My posture is not so tall.
I carry it still, this ball and chain, as I intend to get through it all.

This hole, though, is deep and as I climb, I slip.
Again, deeper.
How deep is this hole?
How much deeper must I go?

Awareness is light and grace is bright.
Although not alone, it sure does feel that way.
But how do I connect in a world where the night has become the day?
Someone somewhere will know what I mean.
Will take the smile and understand and empathize with the unseen.
Will still pass it forward and it will touch someone so.
With that in mind, always, on must I go...on must WE go!!!

Melissa Marro Beach
25 January 2023


Scheme AABBXCCAA XXXD XEEFFDD XC
Poetic Form
Metre 110111 01110111 010111010001 110010001001 101110111111101 111101101111 0101110 1101111 110111101110111111 11111011111 0110 11111 1110111 010110111 1101111111 11110100110110101 1111111 11010010101001 111110011111 110111111111 010101 100
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 955
Words 203
Sentences 21
Stanzas 4
Stanza Lengths 9, 4, 7, 2
Lines Amount 22
Letters per line (avg) 32
Words per line (avg) 8
Letters per stanza (avg) 179
Words per stanza (avg) 44

About this poem

Suffering with Mental Health and SUD's; like so many of us. Music, writing and sharing, and being fortunate enough to experience another is all apart of my own, personal, recovery journey. How Deep? Everyone has their own depth. Connection is key. Although many sympathize, we must learn to empathize. Only then will we understand...will we feel to understand.

Font size:
 

Written on May 19, 2021

Submitted by melissamm85 on January 25, 2023

Modified on April 07, 2023

1:00 min read
55

Melissa Marie Beach

37 year old, single mother of 11 year old beautiful, identical twin girls...experiencing this world...a world I do not know. I am a Registerd Nurse specializing in Substance Use Disorders and Mental Disorders, in which I suffer as well. Although this poem was written almost two (2) years ago...I find that it is still relevant to me today. more…

All Melissa Marie Beach poems | Melissa Marie Beach Books

1 fan

Discuss this Melissa Marie Beach poem analysis with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add this poem analysis to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    ""How Deep?"" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 4 Jun 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem-analysis/150219/%22how-deep%3F%22>.

    Become a member!

    Join our community of poets and poetry lovers to share your work and offer feedback and encouragement to writers all over the world!

    June 2024

    Poetry Contest

    Join our monthly contest for an opportunity to win cash prizes and attain global acclaim for your talent.
    26
    days
    10
    hours
    58
    minutes

    Special Program

    Earn Rewards!

    Unlock exciting rewards such as a free mug and free contest pass by commenting on fellow members' poems today!

    Browse Poetry.com

    Quiz

    Are you a poetry master?

    »
    Who was “admirably schooled in every grace”?
    A Richard Cory
    B Miniver Cheevy
    C Odysseus
    D J. Alfred Prufrock