Bleed to stay alive

Some wounds are best left unhealed
Let them bleed.....Bleed to stay alive!
That little trickle of blood is all you've got
to remind you of the distinction between right and wrong

Yes I know all about the scab that's forming
It stands as much of a chance as a painted hag in a beauty contest
It mocks the memory of your once pristine skin
So claw at it! Scratch it out! Obliterate it! And bleed....

I see Patience and Forbearance sniveling in the distance...
I see Cowardice masquerading as Nobility...
For Heaven's sake! Since when did Liberation start pledging fealty to Utopian morals?!
Sometimes, (like now, for instance) it is blatantly wrong to forgive or forget

For once, deceive the shackles of Propriety
For once, honour the Gift of Life, by LIVING
Sometimes, it is necessary to draw blood....
Now is not the time to sheath your sword.

Reviews

[Chandradhish Ghosh]

Is it pain or is it just a feeling? Or is it just the lull before a revolution? I wonder in which state you were when you wrote this...I like this because it is raw...this doesn't have the wordplay of the poet but dignified use of words. I like the unrest that is brought out through it, I like the passion for living and I like the belligerence flowing throughout this piece of work. I rate this work very highly!

[Augustus]

Thank you CD! This is about the one thing that has been a source of pain in an otherwise comfortable life. I'm glad the revolution didn't have to come in the end. But I'm happy that the poem manages to convey what I intended. Thank you once again for your insightful review.

[Abdul Aziz]

Is this really you, Shreyas? I don't think I've ever read a free verse poem from you! I can't say I know exactly what revolution you intend to convey through this write, it is certainly a rousing poem. I don't know what else to say about this poem. I think some of the brutal nature of this poem and the stubborn refusal to stay within rhythmic code is deliberate, in which case I think you have done your job well. But obviously, this poem is more about the content than the form, which is almost spoken word, and that is where it excels at.

[Augustus]

Ha ha! I understand it's a shock for you. Yes this one is deliberate. As you know, I'm more of a thinker than an impulsive writer. But this one was impulsive. It is sometimes best to leave raw emotions to do their own work and not temper them with elements of structure. That's what I tried to do. Thank you so much for reviewing! It is always a pleasure to have you stop by. By the way, what are you doing in life these days?

[Abdul Aziz]

Yes, I can see the raw emotions splattered across the poem :P It was a shock at first, but I understand that you felt strongly about the subject. I agree in part with what you said about letting raw emotions do their work, but a more detailed discussion on that will definitely be beyond the scope of this text box!
I'm studying for my PG entrance exams. How are you?

[Augustus]

Hehe! A nasty shock it must have been too. Especially considering that the last one you read from me was "Ode to a Butterfly". Like listening to death metal after Mozart. :P Would be a shock even for me if I were to read them one after the other. :) So you didn't like what you saw in IISc? All the best for your exams in any case!

[Abdul Aziz]

Haha, death metal after Mozart, exactly! But you do both styles justice. I loved IISc. I was deemed unworthy of it :P I didn't get past the interview.

[Augustus]

Damn! That sucks. Could be a blessing in disguise for you, though. I don't think very highly of the IISc bio sciences faculty. Many people don't.

[Abdul Aziz]

Might be :) I've moved on, though. I'm focusing on what to do next.

[Augustus]

Good on you. And I wish you all the best!

[Abdul Aziz]

Thank you! How are you doing? When are you going to complete your PhD?

[Augustus]

Well, hopefully within a year. I'm getting tired of it to be honest. The work is going well, but I need a change of place.

[Abdul Aziz]

I can imagine. I hope you accomplish it! Just don't ever stop writing poems. The world needs it :P

[Augustus]

Glad you think so, mate! :)

[joshua deathdealer]

I would follow you into battle sir, with words like these. I too understand the sentiments in this poem and I feel now more than ever is the the time to act. "For Heaven's sake! Since when did Liberation start pledging fealty to Utopian morals?!" ...so much is said with this line. You have serious talent. Superb.

[Augustus]

You honour me! I am humbled.

[Sami Khalil]

You are gifted with talents and wisdom...Thank you for sharing...:)

[Brandon]

Indeed, now is not the time to sheath your sword. Lovely words. Splendid read and write.

[Augustus]

Thank you!

[Robbie~xoxo~]

This is Amazing!

I believe life has a way of scarring us.. in order to be strong we must face it head on...bleed and heal...Take what has cut us to the bone and learn from it...
You have an innate way of searing these images in my mind... VERY INTENSE, my dear friend!!

Your writes always carry a majestic energy...even in strife! WOW!~xoxo~

[Augustus]

Thank you so much Robbie! You made my day! :)

[Robbie~xoxo~]

It's always a pleasure to read your work of art, my dear friend!~xoxo~:)

[Rick Puetter]

Dear Augustus,

We are not hermetically sealed, sterile creatures of pure reason. We have emotion and desires. We have needs and wants. These demand at times that we act swiftly, with passion, and with strength. Is this wrong? Should we let reason always rule? There are not right and wrong reasons in life. So I think we must do what we feel me must. And we are complicated creatures. As you say we fight base wars and at the same time discuss the nature of the many facets of infinity, the Axiom of Choice, Cardinality and Ordinality, the completeness and consistency of mathematics. Who are we? We are such horrible and interesting creatures. And yes, at times we just need to bleed. It is in our souls and DNA. It is how we grow and survive.

Liked this one a lot and made be think about so many things. High marks!

All the best!

Rick

[Augustus]

Thank you so much for your insightful review, Rick!

[DCT ponderings]

This struck me. I had a friend in high school who attempted suicide. She said how right it felt to bleed. That in that moment she finally felt alive, free.

But for me it conjured fighting for what I believe and that some battles are bloody but worth it.

Great poem!

[Augustus]

"Some battles are bloody but worth it..." That is very close to what I had in mind. Thank you so much!

[Pete Langley]

Propriety and conformity can be the bain of life as well as the protection. You`ve said it well, Shreyas....to stray from normality keeps your sword sharp! P.

[Augustus]

So glad to have you stop by! "Propriety and conformity can be the bain (bane?) of life as well as the protection" Wise words indeed Pete! Thanks!

[Pete Langley]

Sorry, Shreyas. Being a Cockney, my English ain`t so good!

[Augustus]

Oh you needn't apologize at all, Pete! I didn't mean to be pedantic....was only seeking clarity. I think your comment is genuinely pithy and thought-provoking. The lesser I say about my own English the better. It isn't even my mother tongue!