Hate Hitting Bottom (Without a Plan)

Just a cynical poem about failing

I hate hitting the bottom

 without a shovel in my hand.

Complete and utter failure

 should be much better planned.

                Jim Lonsdale Poetry 2026

Author's Note

Found another old note in the poetry "dead letter box" and decided to share.

Reviews

[John the Baptist]

We all have dry spells. They too will pass.

[Michael Sun Bear]

You have written a pithy report on life that made me grin ear to ear. Truly a great poem. I’m going to save it.

[Desert Knave]

Thank you so much. Lately writing has slowed to a crawl, so old notes are my best shots at anything posted. ~Jim

[Michael Sun Bear]

I have read your profile many times, made note of your old school self description “manic-depressive.” I would not normally pry, but may I ask, do you as a result of this illness, suffer swings in mental energy so that you write when you tend towards mania, don’t write when you swing the other way. This is very personal, excuse me if you find my questions inappropriate. I suffer from chronic depression and anxiety, it helps to write but at times my symptoms get so severe I can’t write at all.

[Desert Knave]

There are times when the uglier energy makes me write, but most of what I write then I never share, as my friends get quite freaked out.