Now there’s a word, but not the one I’m about to dissect in all its dismal glory, though a sister word meaning…sad.
My friend David will always zero in on one that tends to give me pause. This time it was melancholia. I had used it in an email describing the state I’ve been in. It’s what I can only describe as a low grade sadness that hovers, like a persistent rain cloud.
It’s a word you don’t hear much but come upon in books, making me linger, giving it its due whenever appearing on the page.
Melancholia…noun, a deep heaviness or gloom. A feeling of mournfulness as a result of despair you can’t quite pin down.
An emotion nebulous and vague, fuzzy and formless…murky.
Imagine a face without visible features.
Truman Capote in Breakfast at Tiffany’s called it the mean reds, Winston Churchill, the black dog. It’s hazy and spectral, like a ghost who visits, tipping over all the furniture.
Melancholy is the adjective: crestfallen, doleful, desolate and glum. Depressed, despondent, dejected and just plain, down in the dumps.
An inexplicable strain of hopelessness.
Years ago it was treated like a flu where you’d stay in bed sipping teas and broth. Now of course you take antidepressants and if you’re smart, go talk to somebody.
It’s good to know you don’t have to combat those demons alone anymore, waiting for melancholia to suddenly break, like a fervent fever.
Reminds me of a story:
A man fell into a deep hole calling out for help. A rabbi goes by, looks down and the man cries out, “Rabbi, help me.” So he throws down the Torah, smiles and moves on.
Then a priest appears. “Father, please help me!” the man pleads, who tosses down his Bible before going on his way.
But then a friend shows up jumping in the hole with him. The guy says, “Dammit Jack, what the hell…now we’re both down here,” and Jack says…
‘Yeah, but I know the way out.” 
I guess my point is…friends, like David, can help lift and shift those melancholy clouds.
SB
I am so sorry you are feeling down and out. I get that occasionally. Not to the point of medication (except with chocolate) but just an undefinable sadness. It usually hovers for a few days to a week or until another emotion pushes it out. Hugs.
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It’s like being covered with a tarpaulin, like a baseball field. Nature is where I heal, along with a good animal fix. Am feeding Zeus the cat for a week, so that will without a doubt raise my spirits. He’s such a man the way he struts to the door, like a tawny gentleman, with whiskers and a tail…:)
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Nature and animals. That’s my medicine (along with chocolate and mocha lattes!)
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And books and new ballet flats. I’m on it…:)
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Cats… and a big bouquet of bright flowers.💐
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I wish I could have a visiting kitty, you know, like a nurse but with furry paws. It’s New York where you can get practically anything. How was this missed. I guess I’ll have to settle for a pizza. 🙂
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Pizza’s a great comfort food!
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Yes, I was weaned on it…:)
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How about starting a new business called Rent-a-Cat?
I sometimes have a day of melancholy. That’s fine if it takes itself off in a matter of hours. I hope your sunny spirit will soon overcome it.
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No-More-Hurts Rent A Cat. 🙂
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That’s a much better name. Go for it!
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Was trying to be clever at 5 a.m. Should maybe hold off till at least 6…sigh
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No! Don’t hold off! You had a purrfect idea at 5 a.m.
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Okay, if you say so Anne. 🙂
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I’m honored you’d mention me in a post. Melancholia, while a great word, is a terrible country to find yourself in. Hope you can find your way out soon.
YF
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If it were really the name of a country you’d have to wonder who’d actually live there. Would be like Devil’s Island’s sister.
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If NYC doesn’t have rent-a-kitties, then it’s time to scroll through all the cute animal clips. They always bring a smile.
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Yeah. I actually was viewing some funny videos on my phone that were so hilarious. They do cheer one up.
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You have David and I have you, and someone else has me. We share what we know to lift others up as we stroll through this shit show together This was a great piece!
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You have a great way of expressing yourself Top, filled with candor and raw truth. I admire it so.
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