PASS THE SYRUP

03 29 14

Olive branches smother and dismember
in the mud giggling in time
with the squish emanating from
my alternating huff and puff
footprints

I trudge in Winter's sweat of
schizophrenic rain
My old defence, sheepish stolidity,
got tweaked in a twist-up
tight as a candy cane
with a modest gasp
of underground success

That shadowy hush of acknowledgement
ballooned in my ear like a blow fish
amplifying the environmental inertia
that never made me happier
nor this sad

I may have been mad
walking from informed opinions
like a failed Orpheus
but defence shouted in silence
and I returned home
to the unconditional support
of a pet art

Acknowledgement's shadowy hush
tore a blister trail down my back
The ointment of Winter will soothe and
release me before billing me
with a scar and littering in the recycle bin
of who I want to be

Today I wanted to be accepted
Night has arrived with reinforced snowflakes
and the chill on my hot back
has me wondering if I would rather be feared

Author's Note

Reviews

[redflutterby]

Ahhh...Steve. I know where this one comes from and its sadness makes me sigh. I would hug you but youre too far away. Sweetie you dont want to be feared...theres no good in that. You just want to feel accepted and acknowledged. You dont need to look much farther then right here for that. You are an amazing poet and a wonderful friend. ;-)

[kublakhan27]

You have brought a smile to my face and my heart my dear friend...I don't think hearts smile but you know what I mean ;) I feel much better now than I did when I wrote this and you have a huge part in that. It's true that I don't want to be feared, but that's how it feels when I struggle for positive attention...I'll just take any kind that I can get haha Thank you Red, for all the support you've given me, especially recently...I may not have been here today if not for it :)

[Onyia-Ali, Kingsley Chu..]

This is a nice one with rich imagery. Well done.

[kublakhan27]

Many thanks my friend

[Onyia-Ali, Kingsley Chukwuebuka Benson]

You're highly welcome.

[AprilRN1210]

Such intense struggle in this piece. I feel the gnawing frustration, the desperation, the confusion of acknowledgement and acceptance. The bitter, cold loneliness erodes the soul that is already eaten away by neglect and damage. It is numb but those frosty fingers can also stimulate those piercing pangs of painful memories. I am blown away by this piece: breathtaking metaphors, stunning imagery, and raw, powerful emotion. Awesome..

[kublakhan27]

Thanks so much April, I'm glad that it resonated with you so deeply :)

[AprilRN1210]

Welcome so much:)

[Kleio13]

" That shadowy hush of acknowledgement
ballooned in my ear like a blow fish". I love these lines!

[kublakhan27]

Thanks bud, I'm glad you like this one :)

[star73]

Lovely once again something new and different and never gets boring!!!!

[kublakhan27]

Thanks so much Star :)

[s y e]

Wow Steveroo, where do I even begin to interpret this amazing poem. It is filled with so much emotion it's unbelievable. That is something that your writes never lack - emotion. It is always filled to the brim and your heart is always, always on the page.

I agree with what Red has said to you, I second that infact. Smart woman she is. ;-) You are such a talented, amazing man, you just don't see it. You're my best friend and so kind and caring - realise it dude! Or I will have to find some way to make you.......... dun dun dun!

xo

[kublakhan27]

You always know how to bring a smile to my face Noodlebop, on days when it doesn't feel like an option :) My work must be emotional because this is the only way I can express it...outward emotion is something I have always struggled with and always will. But I don't know where I would be if not for the support of you and Red and a few others that we both know...most likely not here. But I could never leave even though I say I will when I'm depressed...this has become my second home, a place where I can truly feel like I can be myself, and be accepted for it...there are not many places I can say that about...thank you my dear friend, for everything :)

[s y e]

You're so kind Steveroo and loving. We all love you here so much at WC and you know that we're always here for you... I think you might be scared to leave because you know I'll come after you. :-P Writing is cathartic, for sure. Keep writing. Oh, and smiling.. ;-D

[Mark]

I don't think it's fear exactly at least for me. The older I get it becomes more like 'f**k you if you don't get me' lol

[kublakhan27]

Haha It varies from day to day Mark...thanks for the read and comment.

[Cory Barrett]

"The ointment of Winter will soothe and
release me before billing me
with a scar and littering in the recycle bin
of who I want to be"

I adore this imagery. Mr. Winter mending the wounds that he inflicts, but only with numbness from cold, and then to bill you with a scar. I mean this is slick! I know it is a poem about hurting, but it is a brilliant write... Thank you

[kublakhan27]

Thanks so much Streamline...this one came from deep within so I'm happy to hear that it resonated with you :)

[Rosalind Gale]

This is the LSD of poetry, so many years ago I partook of all things crazy: This poem reminded of that, me and the girls dancing on tables and staying awake for days: I love how some poetry takes you to a place perhaps the poet did not envisage, of course I suspect such journeys happen often. Acceptance was so often the next step to settling down, warm and passive. It is something I fear, still. Thank you for this wonderfully imagined poem.
-x-

[kublakhan27]

What can I say, you speak my language with stunning precision here Rosalind...I've never danced on a table, but all that other stuff you speak of here I can relate to wholeheartedly. This site is really the only place where I find any semblance of acceptance, and for that very reason I fear every period of creative inactivity that surfaces, and I'm in one of those periods now so hopefully I come around soon. But reviews such as the one you've offered here go a long way in keeping my confidence afloat...so glad you enjoyed this one, thank you :)

[Ghost of Jupiter]

Wow this poem has my mind wheeling in images and ideas. The symbolism of winter and it's arctic chill soothing the burning overflow of emotions is a lovely image! I can get insnared in your word play, as they interweave in my head, leaving me tangled in your thoughts. What a wonderful write!

[kublakhan27]

Thanks so much for the kind words K, so glad you enjoyed it :)