Entrails

"Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth." - Thoreau

There's stuff inside of us.

So deep that we don't even know where it lives.

Can never get to its essence.

Can't put it into words.

No one talks about it.

Wouldn't know where to begin.

Never fathom how.

We spend eternity running from it in a mortifying marathon.

Afraid.

Petrified.

Terrified.

It's the truth.

What life has done to us.

How it has shaped us.

When you're alone at night in your bed and the tears come.

Demons dance a diabolical, lamentable limbo.

Night goes on forever and day never dawns.

A forced smile disguises precipitous pain.

Mouth mumbles and shuts.

No one knows what's hiding inside of our ...

... guts ...

Author's Note

"Love must be as much a light as it is a flame." - Thoreau

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Pete. First of all the image you have posted is fabulous. Quite haunting, and it has a magnetic quality which draws my eyes in and holds them. Your Thoreau quotes are always well worth studying. Your words penetrate right into the guts. When we reflect on our experiences on our journey, there's usually stuff that we want to remain buried. All the nasties of life can sink to the bottom of the sea bed and stay there as far as I am concerned. I only want the nice stuff to surface. But you are so right, the nasties whether we like it or not have shaped us, and because they have happened we have to face up to the fact that they are part of the truth about us. We are a mixture of all that has happened to us even if we don't want to talk about it. It can't be erased, it is the truth. Thought provoking poem, and well written.

Chris

[Pete]

Hi Chris. it sure would be nice to sink that "stuff" at the bottom of the ocean but nevertheless my experience is that things have an unwelcomed way of resurfacing. those "nasties" as you say can be overcome with love and forgiveness (though not easily). thank you for sharing your deep thoughts dear friend ... :)

[Chris Shaw]

I agree, that stuff has a habit of resurfacing, when you least expect it. Good evening Pete:)

[Eve]

I absolutely love this piece. I especially like how you end it, with the dots to emphasize the slowing of the piece to ending it. I'm not sure about ending it with the word guts, looking on how deep and honest the rest of the poem is. I feel like it almost changes how the reader leaves the poem. That is completely just an opinion, however. Besides that, I think your piece is absolutely beautiful. I would also like to point out the picture you chose for the piece. It is a perfect choice, it really shows what you are trying to say, the message you are sending. Concluding, this is just an amazing, beautiful poem, with no confusion as to the message it is portraying.

[Pete]

thanks Eve, so kind of you. my satisfaction comes when others can feel what i felt ... :)

[Eve]

I completely agree with you. That's why I write, to show others that we have more in common than we seem to think. When my readers can feel what I was feeling is the best feeling and makes all of it worth it.

[BLACKCRUSH]

“ We spend eternity running from it in a mortifying marathon.“ I felt this line very deeply..... life just happens to us. As much control as we think we have we don’t . Execellent work, would love to shelve this.

[Pete]

thank you BLACKCRUSH. much appreciated ... :)

[BLACKCRUSH]

You're very welcome :)

[barleygirl]

This is the most slap-across-the-face honest I've read you, since I've been reading you! Usually there is some nuance in your poetry, but this is deliciously straight-to-the-point, & a well-honed point at that. I honest saw myself in every single word in the first 7 lines. I was mesmerized by how true it is. The title is one of the most brilliantly-chosen words I've seen in a long time. And the way it leads into the first 7 lines, which knock me off my feet! Love this (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Pete]

such writing could only reach an open, receptive, courageous heart. there is nothing more precious in life that shows more bravery than being able to embrace truth. your thoughts on the matter are much appreciated as always dear friend ... :)

[sette]

this is one philosophical poem my friend talking about life and the inner self, done through the awareness and realization as we go along the journey to knowing our essence later on this is very existentialist thought my friend and thanks for writing this one

[Pete]

thank you so much sette. i like your thoughts on this. the existentialist label surely fits. my literary & philosophical idol Thoreau was a transcendentalist but there is arguably some common ground ... :)