Mood Swings (Cognitive Therapy) Poem by John Thorkild Ellison

Like any girl or boy
Playing with a new doll or special toy,
I felt a sudden surge of happiness
I thought no sadness could destroy,
But after this brief interlude
Back came the aching, evil mood -
I felt my faith in goodness cease
And my fickle heart could find no peace.
Why does it always change like this?
We feel our mother's gentle kiss
Inviting us to childish bliss,
But once again it all turns black,
Our old anxieties come back
And we're stretched once more upon the rack! !
Deep in my heart of hearts I guess
We can't rely on happiness,
Our shifting vagaries of mood
Make Optimism seem so crude
And yet the Pessimist's belief
Puts too much emphasis on grief.
The Will is made of sterner stuff,
The Intellect is far more tough,
So learn a bit of Discipline
And let the light of Logic in! !