It Has Been a Crazy Ride for the Man Known as The Depressed Poet, Doc “Pop’s” Dalton. But He’s Still Riding and Writing but Now At The Age of 70, There is No More Time for Depression because He Now Worries About His Adult Diapers, Metamucil and Antacid, But Through It All, Life is Good, Or At Least I think It Is.
- Thank you for taking the time to speak with us and being so open about your life. I would like to get straight to the point and ask you about your health these days and what’s involved.
Dalton: Thank for talking with me, I truly Appreciate it. As far as my health. I have had depression for well over 40 years but with all that has been going on, I have done well with it and seemed to been handling it OK lately.
2 Years ago, I was diagnosed with what is called, Lamber Eaton Syndrome. They call it the cousin to Muscular Dystrophy and Myasthenia Gravis. It has affected me in several different ways, my legs are starting to give out and that is a big concern. Weakness has also settled in with a few other things. The truth is, it has kicked my ass some big time, but on a positive note, the more I sit, the more I can write.
- As far as your poetry, has it changed much over the years.
Dalton: To start off with, I have always said that I am not a great or even a good poet and I mean that. I started writing poetry while in the hospital for depression and this was at the suggestion of a doctor. At that time, I thought the doctor was crazier than I was, but I was locked up and couldn’t leave, so I tried. What happened were 2 surprising things, first my mind relaxed totally, and it was a relief that I had not had before, and it felt great. Second, I started writing about things I never even spoke or thought about and that was God, Jesus, Angels, Heaven, Spirits, Hell and more.
These words brought me to a different place in my mind and made my life a bit clearer. I became a God guy for lack of better words without even knowing it and it was a wonderful thing that took place in my life and as I said, I don’t consider myself a great or even a good poet. I just consider myself a man who stumbles through his words so he can make it through his days.
- Is there anything that brings you joy about your poetry besides the two things mentioned previously.
Dalton: Like many others who write, I post my poems in a few places and belong to a wonderful poetry club called, Red Thread Poets which is headquartered in Canada. Because of this I have received e mails from people in all different parts of the world who write me about some of my poetry and how it has touched them in some way. I also, had a pastor from North Carolina contact me about reading one of my poems during his Sunday service. It is things like that which make rewarding for me and make me feel as if I have touched someone in some way with my words.
- Two questions in one. Your very first poem and from then to now, what is new.
Dalton: My first poem is called, That’s the Beauty of it All. It is about life and the beauty that life has to offer and how we should appreciate it, in different ways. This poem shocked me because I wrote it while being in the hospital and had not a clue where it all was coming from, but it was 100% positive.
And now, I have started writing short stories as well and that has also helped me greatly.
- Because of everything that has taken place over the years, has your thinking differed today than it was 10, 15 or even 20 years OK.
Dalton: To be point blank, I don’t give a rat’s ass about 90 percent of the things I thought were important years ago. Today, it is more about my family. Getting a hug from my granddaughter is like hitting the lottery. My wife, granddaughter daughter, and son in-law mean the world to me. Also. I enjoy being outside and watching all the gifts that God gives to us, that is important to me. The stars, the breeze, the beautiful sky in all it’s different shades. The trees, animals, oceans and the birds are just a few.
Being grateful and asking yourself this simple question, how many people out there in the world would love to have what I personally have right now. The answer is simple, and I am not talking about money either.
I have reached a point in my life where we should sit back and appreciate what we have now at this moment and stop always looking for more. When it is your time to leave this planet and cross over to the other side, you will not be greeted with, that was some house or car or diamond ring you had. The question will be, what did you do and how did you treat your fellow man. I believe that 100 percent. Kindness also ranks at the top of what should be important to people. Sorry to say, it seems as if the world has forgotten all about it.
- You personally didn’t go to school for writing or poetry so has anyone been negative about your writing.
Dalton: Personally, to my face, no. Do I think someone has, yes. It is just human nature for someone to always attack someone for something. The world is different today and you just can’t please everyone and for those who find it so very important to have something negative to say about my writings, I mean this from the bottom of my heart. They can plant their lips on the cheeks of my ass and give it one giant kiss because I don’t care and it is time for them to get a life.
With social media today, anyone at any age can do this or something else that might make their life better. You don’t need to have a degree to write a few words, JUST DO IT. There are many people that can help others, but the first step is to DO IT..
- Over the years you have hosted some cable shows, radio shows and podcasts, is there anything planned for down the road.
Dalton: I am sorry to say, No my road is coming to an end. I had fun doing them but with all that is going on with me personally and being a bit older, I just don’t find it to be interesting to me any longer.
On the other hand, I have been talking about publishing a book for some time now. But I could not get what my purpose would be with that book. The chances of me selling a lot of copies are very little and the money side of things was not important to me for this, yet, through it all I felt as if I should do it.
Just recently I thought that I would do this and give a copy to people/friends who have meant so much to me over the years. A type of gift that they would have something to remember me by when I am no longer here. I like that idea a lot.
The book is entitled, Old Dogs of the Whiskey Pie Trails and it is just a few poems and short stories and probably won’t even be 50 pages in length. For me it would be a gift of appreciation, a thank you so to speak for being my friend through all the good time and bad times. For being there through the crazy journey life has taken us on.
- Where can people go to find out more about you and what is taking place in your life.
Dalton: My website at DocDalton.com Everything is there. Folks can be like an old hound dog and sniff around as much as they want.
We would like to say thank you doe taking the time to speak with us and hope we have the chance to do this again at some point.
Dalton: I am the one who should be saying thank you and I appreciate you for taking the time to speak with me. Blessings and Peace to All.
