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Tuesday, September 17, 2013

"Do You Have a Dark Side?"

There is a fire
that never goes out,
never forgets
the list of injustices.

I tend this fire
and stoke it with
bitter memories,
afraid to forgive
lest I might forget.

This fire has kept
the pencil in my hand,
the guitar in my embrace,
the piano in my service.

"Why didn't you call?"
"Why didn't you write?"
"Why'd you do me like that?"

The passion
will never die
because there's always
something
to enrage my soul.

I will not
go gentle into that good
night.

I may look and act
like I've mellowed
but that's just a
strategy for disarming you,

because even if I am
a nearly invisible
84 year old
toothless man,

I'll still remember
what you did,

and I'll sidle up beside you
(you won't even recognize me)
and when no one's looking
I'll plunge my blade
into your side
and drag it up
and finally out,

and then I'll quietly
shuffle away.

Do I have a dark side?

Of course, I do.
It's just inside.

40 comments:

  1. oh ha-- think there's a dark side slumbering in each of us...psssshhhh... i give that dark side lots of valium to keep it silent - ha-- smiles

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    1. Hey, whatever it takes it keep it under control, I agree.

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  2. Buddah, Buddah--damn rights we have those demons, those dark angels under our overcoats, behind our eyes, adjacent of our pancreas, and old men sure as hell can/do harbor some of the darkest urges, grudges, images, regrets that can be imagined. Just be exposed to the right impetus, and those dark fists reach for a throat; thanks.

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    1. This was inspired (?) by the Smiths' song title "There is a Light That Never Goes Out." Never heard the song, but loved that title. The rest is poemonologue, circa 2006. Thanks.

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  3. Wow... I'd hate to get on your bad side.

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    1. Don't mess with me. :) Seriously, this is before I met Jesus Christ, so I'm not quite as vitriolic as this now. It's mostly a dramatized inner monologue.

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  4. I liked your portrayal of 'the dark side.' I do think we all have one. Thank goodness, the majority of us are capable of controlling / suppressing those dark thoughts that arise periodically.

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    1. ... and many of us challen it into our art, or in my case, these writings.

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  5. Anonymous12:35 PM

    Thus is striken down 'the better angels of our nature,' by the reality that sleeps within us all. Great read.>KB

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  6. Buddah! Yeah, the ins and the outs of being who we are. Those inner demons never go away. They just get reined in, you know?

    As for them informing our art, I say, HELL YES! Amy

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    1. I started writing in 1978 as a way to fight against what I felt was powerlessness, and still the fight is there. I love the line from RENT where the artists are singing about the necessity of art and sings "the opposite of war is not peace, it's creation." Thanks, Ameleh

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  7. I think most every has had a murderous thought at least once if they have truly lived without refrain...

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    1. I like the stipulation "if they have truly lived without refrain." I agree, and thanks!

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  8. There is indeed a dark side... & it's been pestering me no end lately - nice poem

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    1. Thanks, and keep that dark side in the dark.

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  9. Anonymous1:27 PM

    I enjoyed your razor-sharp romp along the wild side of inner demons !! A couple shots of Jack Denial always help to keep mine down to a low roar !!

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    1. I have a feeling that Jack Denial wouldn't help me - but the opposite, thanks!

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  10. I agree we all do have a dark side, especially when it comes to forgiveness. I think poetry helps us free ourselves of all those demons and at least accept others imperfection as well as our own. Powerful and so well written.

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    1. Thanks, so much - yes the writing is my salvation.

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  11. oh snap...and it makes one wonder just what the transgression was that has stuck with you...i think we all have a dark side and givent he right motivation it will come out....but for the most part i keep mine in check...smiles....

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    1. Yes, keep that bastard in check before he keeps you. Thanks.

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  12. Here is my darkness: http://scarred-seeker.blogspot.ca/2011/09/my-darkness.html

    Love this. We all have a dark side, there are good cookies there. Love this...very nicely done!

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    1. The darkness always lurks - my yezter hara. Where be the cookies?

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  13. Anonymous4:35 PM

    crackling write, Buddah ~ M

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  14. That is what I call walking on the dark side..but, we all have a bit of darkness in us..we just try to keep it at bay..hopefully, more light will shine through..

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    1. I agree we all have a dark side - it's the question of how much we honor it.

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  15. Anonymous9:39 PM

    O, a resounding BRAVO! here...such truth and light in that darkness.. Great write, Mosk ~jackie~

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    1. Thanks, this was written a while back. I'm not quite as dark now.

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  16. wow..such stark honesty..who of us has not at one time or another had such thoughts rise to the surface from the dark corner of our soul..great write

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    1. Thanks, Dorianna. I think this touches on something dormant in each of us.

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  17. *standing ovation* I love this and I agree, the dark side exists.

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    1. A standing ovation? I'm not worthy! Thanks!

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  18. Ooooh, wicked and very enjoyable! Sneaky.

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  19. Oooooo. Wicked sharp, this one. NICE.

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  20. ...and I guess inside is a side. A great place to keep the dark one. Love your style and sense of mirth. But I'm a sick bastard at times myself!

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    1. From one sick bastard to another.. thanks.

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