He has had depression for well over 40 years and if that isn’t crazy enough, he recently was diagnosed with a life changing disease. But he is still laughing, still grateful and still writing while telling the negative voices out in the world to go straight to Hell because, it just ain’t over yet.
1. We welcome you to our publication and thank you for taking the time to speak with us. Can you give us a quick starting point of what took place in your life that brought you to poetry.
DD: I am grateful to have this time with you and would like to say thank you. As far as a starting point, it is very simple. I suffer from depression and have for over 40 years. Because of this I was hospitalized on a few occasions and one of these times a doctor said to me he felt for several reasons that I should try my hand at poetry and stay away from writing a journal. He had his reasons, I thought he was crazier than I was. Bottom-line, I couldn’t leave the place, so I tried.
The result was, he was right, and I was wrong, and it turned out to be a very positive experience and has helped me tremendously in my life. Back then and even now.
2. You said it was a positive experience for you and it helped you. In what ways would you say that it helped.
DD: While writing, my mind relaxes. I forgot about everything and everyone and I just focused on what I am doing at that moment. This was something I had not experienced before. It as if my mind has a break and chance to relax.
In addition to that, I started writing about things I had never even thought off such as, God, Jesus, Peace, Love, Angels, Heaven, Gift’s that the world/God offered. It could be as simple as the Stars, The Breeze, The Sky, The Oceans, Trees and even the Path that a Bird takes. Where all this came from and how it got in my head, I do not know, But I am glad it did.
3. If you had to be the judge of your own poetry, what would that be.?
DD: It has never changed, and my feelings have always been the same. I do not consider myself a great poet and the reason I say this is because, It’s the truth, I am just not. I also do not consider myself a good poet and again the reason for this is the same, I am just not. What I do consider myself is a man, who stumbles though his words so he can make it through his days. It is just that simple.
4. Why do you feel you are not a great or even good poet.
DD: To start off with, I am not educated in the field of creative writing. I never went to school for this while so many others have. In my defense, I read poetry of those who are educated and frankly, I do not understand or even grasp some of their words or direction which they are going in.
I think it is a good thing that I am not because I have been told I write like I speak. So good or bad it is coming from heart and that is what is important for me. Besides, this gives me the opportunity to show others that in todays world, there are things you can do, “it does not need to be poetry” to not only help yourself but to help others as well. The only thing you need to do is, DO IT.
5. Has there been any negativity from anyone concerning your writing.
DD: OK, here we go. I have been asked this question a few times before and my answer never changes. To my face has anyone said anything negative, No. I am sure behind my back there have been people who found it extremely important to criticize me and my words.
Here is how I look at this. If your life is so overwhelming boring, that you need to take time out of that non-purposeful life to say something negative about my writings, that is when I find it necessary to say to them, on the world of importance, I am at the bottom of the scale so to speak. So that would make them even lower. So sad for them to be in that position.
My advice to them would be these 2 things. First, get a hobby and get a life. Second, plant your non-important lips on the cheeks of my ass and give it one big giant kiss and I mean that from the bottom of my heart. Maybe I should have done that in Rhyme. LOL
6. How about personal happiness in your world of poetry.
DD: I have received e mails from folks all around the world who have been very kind to me in what they have said. I appreciate that very much and for me it is a big win. I had a pastor from North Carolina ask me if he could read one of my poems during his Sunday service and again, a giant win. I have a lady from Wales who writes to me not only about my poetry but writes to me now just to say hello. Again, a win.
I belong to a wonderful poetry group called, Red Thread Poets that is based out of Ontario, Canada. Because of this I have become friends with great man from Ontario whose name is Peter Stevens. Because of this friendship we have been doing Zoom calls every Thursday for almost 2 years and talk about anything and everything.
So, to answer that question. YES, personal happiness is there, and I am grateful for it.
7. Over the years you have also hosted several cable and radio shows and even a few podcasts. Is there anything planned for the future.
DD: No there is not. It was fun while it lasted but I just don’t see myself doing anymore. 2 years ago, I was diagnosed with a disease called, Lambert Eaton Syndrome. They call it the cousin to Myasthenia Gravis and Muscular Dystrophy, and it has impacted my life in a big way. So, between that and turning 70 this year, I just don’t think so. On the other hand, I never say never, but at this moment, I just don’t think so.
What I am planning on doing is a book called, Old Dogs of the Whiskey Pie Trails. It is a short book of stories and poetry. When I say a short book, it won’t even be 50 pages. I wanted to do this for some time now but couldn’t figure out what my purpose for this book would be. But I have recently decided that this book would be given to people who have meant so much to me over the years. This would be a gift that I hope they can sit down from time to time and remember me when I am no longer here.
8. For those who would like to learn more about the happenings in the world of The Depressed Poet, Doc Dalton, is there place they can go to
DD: They can go to my website at, DocDalton.com it is all there, and it would be nice to have them visit. My social media links are up there, and I will start doing more with them soon. All they need to do is come visit.
9. We would like to say thank you for spending the time in doing this interview and hopefully we can do it again, down the road.
DD; Please let me say thank you. I am grateful for your interest in this old dude and would love to get together again at some point before the Lord sends me out to pasture so to speak. I wish you and your readers nothing less than great days ahead with countless Blessings and Peace. Again, thank you.
