My creative writing professor refered me to the counseling center because of my poem. Is it really that bad?

Question

Death Wish

Sometimes, just to wake up to another day is devastating
Is that because life is hell and there’s no heaven waiting
Or that I’m uninsured and can’t afford depression medication
Attempted suicide with full explanation and no hesitation
My written reasons for the act was twenty four pages long
But no one actually read it all before saying I was wrong
Save your holy book quotes, your prayers and your songs
It’s not believable to me and so it won’t help me get along
My soul is a casualty is the war against irrationality
Sorry if I’m pessimistic because I’m living in reality
Choose illusion or despair, often optimism is a fallacy
It’s logic doesn’t add up to me the way it has to be
To make it through my multilayered mental screening
Working at life, but missed the meeting about the meaning
Met different kinds of people, done twice my share of reading
But nothing I’m seeing suggest any purpose to this being
An unevenly contested existence we never even requested
The researcher is incompetent if we are being tested
We’re orphans of the universe, if God created then left it
If life’s not worth it, I may revert to my death wish

My professor over reacted if you ask me. I think I did the assigment and did it really well. I couldn't write a poem like this without speaking about my unpleasant experiences and thoughts. Do think you it deserves a referal to the head doctor? I not high on going. I've been through therapy before and I think I'm done with it.

Frantic

It wasn't a cry for help. It's just honest.

Answer 1

We here at the help desk have noted that by law, the teacher must take your threat seriously. Your poem is very dark and it sonds as if you are a troubled young man. Your professor was just worried and followed the guidelines. As an aside, consider the possibility that a different therapist would provide you a better experience.

Answer 2

This is what is so good about writing - it gives the opportunity to express the deepest darkest feelings - it is therefore therapeutic and beneficial and often better than any counsellor or medicine. I have written similar poems when I have been very low - only difference is no-one ever saw them so they weren't able to make any such recommendations. It is actually what some councellors recommend - to express oneself either in art or writing.
I guess he / she was concerned about the way you are feeling - may have thought it was a cry for help. Was it?

Answer 3

The poem isn't "bad", it's actually pretty good but your proffessor probably thinks you're suicidal after reading it. You can't blame him for that. Are you writing about yourself? If you are then you should get some councelling! It sounds like you think life pretty much sucks! If you are depressed talk to someone about it, your proffessor is trying to help you and he is doing what he thinks is right. The last line of your poem sums it up! Good luck.

Answer 4

well written.. just curious.. did a lot of this start after your fall out with religion? (the questioning the worth of life)... if it did.. might I suggest Deism and a belief that we create/find our own purpose for existence? anyway.. that's overstepping my bounds.

She was correct to refer you if this is how you feel on a normal basis.. because you don't HAVE to feel like this day to day.

If this was a passing thought that came from introspection (and maybe a touch of introversion) then there's no worries.. you are just a creative writter.

Answer 5

ah no teachers just have their ways.
if your poetry teacher things you should go to a shrink
because of this poem, then she's not grasping the true
meaning of poetry. tell her that poetry is supposed to
help one put themselves in someone elses shoes, and
does not necessarily come from the heart. i know parts of
this poem came from the heart, because you sound like
a teen, and at that age we all feel creative impulses from
the downs in our lives. just do what you feel is right
i don't think you're "depressed" your teachers just
watching out for ya (:

Answer 6

You talked of depression and suicide, the instructor would have been negligent if he hadn't refered you to a counselor.

I score standardized tests at McGraw-Hill and anytime we see anything like that, or mentions of drug use or criminal activity, rape, child abuse, etc., the papers are alerted and the school is immediately notified.

Answer 7

I do not think that your professior over reacted at all. I think this is an amazing poem. It covers all categories of life. The good, the bad. The commerialization of today and the controlling behavior that people try to press on people. Great poem. Keep up the great work. If you write any other poems please email them to me.

Answer 8

You would be surprised to know how many people feel the same way you do. You would also be surprised to know how many people feel this same way, yet don't know what is wrong and don't know how to ex-press it. I think your poem expresses yourself well. You seem to be honest with your feelings, and it is important to be honest about how we feel, if not with others, at least with ourselves. I think it is normal to feel unloved, and insignificant. I hope you will not hurt yourself anymore if you have already tried to. God really does love you and care about you. He created you and loves you and wants the best for you. When we are young we are sensitive and don't always have the perspective of someone who has more experience. Is there some older person who is trustworthy, who you would trust to talk to, and make friends with? Someone who will be kind to you, and not make you feel uncomfort-able? I know God really does love you. He made you and is close to you. He wants you to be happy with who and what you are and wants you to know Him. He would not want you to hurt yourself. This would grieve Him deeply. Please do not give up on God. Please don't give up on God. All the unhapp- iness and sadness, and greed you see around you is the result of man turning his back on God. If we lived by God's com-mandments, the world would be a peaceful, happy, safe place to live. But it is man who has abandoned God, and not God who has abandoned man. It is the because of all the sin, and rebellion against God in the world that the world is such an evil place to live. It is not God's fault that man has rebelled against Him. God has sent His only Begott-en Son, Jesus Christ, to die in our place, and make peace between God and our- selves. If you could invite Jesus Christ into your heart, you would find peace. You would be able to look at, and live in, this evil world, and not give up hope. To have Jesus Christ in your heart is to have hope and peace in your heart. Please don't give up. Their is an answer to your problems. There is hope, and peace, and understanding in this world, but it is in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, and not in the things the world or man has to offer. I pray that you will give your life to Jesus Christ, and become born- again. I pray that you will find Jesus Christ, and invite Him into your heart. He is not far from you, but is very close to those who have broken and heavy hearts, and minds. Please don't give up. You are closer to an answer than you think.

Answer 9

well, it screams depression and cynicism - not a good combo especially for a young male. maybe he thought you could go off the deep end if the wind blows in the right direction. hope you're ok.

Answer 10

Well, he was obviously concerned and I can understand why he would be.

It would probably be a good idea for you to see a counselor. It might or might not help you, but I don't see what harm it would do.