My young love asleep beside me,
She does not feel my tear
Fall into her dark hair,
Innocently anointed by my silent aching.
We bury our despair
With television
Exercise
Mindless activity
But in the silent hours
When the darkness has swallowed all distractions,
The demons daylight chases into the shadows
Are released
To taunt and torment.
Any lie we have told ourselves
Becomes inverted and mocks us.
Every careless word and action,
Now impossible to undo,
Returns to us, coldly judging.
And the fears we have not yet vanquished
Tear into us like jackals.
Devoured alive.
Nowhere to hide.
No solace.
Only faint remnants of dying religions
Murdered by logic.
Our only salvation
Is in the attempt to love.
In a list
What did you think
Comments
1 - 28 of 28
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Akifan,
Good points. Having a happy, passionate and romantic relationship throughout life is something most don't accomplish very often these days. I see so many unhappy or just stale marriages and wonder if avoidance of loneliness is worth it, and why they even got married to begin with. I think you're right about maintaining a sense of individuality. We all need our quiet time.
Thanks,
Mark -
brilliantly penned
"We bury our despair
with television"
a very thought provoking set of lines, for i've always wondered what makes a couple tick on and on through the years in a way that all their love does not fade, nor does it hide or dilute under the everyday routines...well of course some decades ago there wasnt any television hehe..and families were quite large
...but what I find very striking, is that this poem really makes u wonder of how important to achieve that wonderful balance with a significant other, after all, the pursuit of love through love itself...couples can have silent times, and chatty times...you want to share yourself with that special someone, yet another part needs to always keep individuality...intriguing first posts...most definitely!..cheers!
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went through your old poems..just wanted to know whether you were the same the way you are now! lol...
love poem?
very rare to read from your pages!!
..as always this too creates a magic I like your rhyme poems a lot though..but this isnt less than those of rhyme ones
Ankita!
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It took me a while to find your message, there is no record of it in my structures once it flashed up. Thanks for responding I was concerned about my timing and if you know much about me from my stuff I felt you would be honest enough to realize, "This guy really believes". So many of the sceptics (this is a correct spelling option, though somewhat archaic) Quickly shunt you into the 'Supersticious Fool' category and don't listen to anything else you say. Like I said I am compelled to ask, 'what is God's purpose withthe sceptic, and how can I relate?' These around here are often just 'true believers' that you could unplug from the masses at church or mosque etc but their dogma is just 'science'. Like the handyman who only uses a hammer! But they ignore the disciplines of probability and rules of evidence. I am working on that relationship with Jesus, the narrow road and have had enough miraculous encounters to be forever convinced even if they ceased. I know God, like the great Mark Rickerby, is very busy and expects me to go on even if he speaks very little. Case in point if the poem Golden. Cant remember if you read it yet but I didn't write it or struggle at all to produce the many features its laced with. I took it down in feverous dictation on the side of the road in 5 minutes. Be sure to read the back story in the comments. Another time in bed on a thursday nite I told my wife, "I hope this womens weekend retreat will have something special for you. I've really enjoyed our marraige; you are the best thing in the world that has happened to me. I'm sorry for the bad times, the fights, the fear I caused you; I wish I could take it back. But your love for me has been so constant that I think it must be what God's love is like." She said, "That's nice" rolled over and went to sleep. When she returned on sunday, again in the bed she said, "the strangest thing happened. Friday night between sessions a woman named Theresa pulled me aside and said, "Did you experience a proxy ministry? I feel God wants me to do this. I'm going to role play your husband...'I've really enjoyed our life together, I'm sorry for all the pain I've caused you and didn't even see because I was in my own pain. But I understand God's love better by your faithful love for me.' (Its nice to be quoted, isn't it?) You see Ben, I didn't believe you when you said it. I wondered, 'what does he want, now?' But now I know you were scincere and I see you in a new light. I am very Grateful he helped me this way and am exited he takes an interest in my marraige. I know your poetry, like mine, is a snapshot of where you are at the moment. but it is not frivolous and I want to respond to what I see and feel about what is on the page. Ive got to learn how to send links. Ck out for grins, The Gospel of Bob- its in my comments for sure. All the best, buddy!
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Hi Benjamin,
Sorry for not responding sooner. I was in Vegas until Wednesday night and have been trying to catch up with work ever since. Kind of a play now, pay later thing (and it's later NOW. lol)
THANK YOU for you kind words and the offer of your help. But please don't worry about me. I have a lot of questions (as you know, if you've perused my "big questions" series), but I consider myself a Christian. It's how I was raised and that's my basic belief. My faith fluctuates but I don't know if it's possible not to in a world like this, and with so little physical evidence of anything other-worldly. But I still pray anyway, and call myself a Christian.
Thanks again for the concern. I do appreciate it. I'll check out the verse you mentioned, and keep my mind open to further learning along the path.
Please check out the work of a Christian friend of mine here with the username "heismysong". She's a very good writer and a wonderful human being. I'm sure you'll like her.
Thanks again, my friend. I hope your new year is going well so far.
Mark
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Honest, brilliant, brave
I think the christian church has damaged its relevance by saying to the sceptic "I have no need of thee." God made them; Jesus picked one, Thomas. My best friend is one. He was the one floored by BENEATH THE ANGER and he too gets, "Bill, you think too much" often. I am desparately seeking the keys to reaching the sceptic and helping them take their place in the church. I think they may be the files to sharpen. Kind of a Top Gun group that forces believers to examine why they believe. You see... our existence is lived in tension. The demons chase you toward God... I can see it. Your heart is so close... You want Godly things. Your heart is very close to the Heart of God and his call is on you; the struggle with the beast in you absolutely validates your decision and committment that from Mark Rickerby, Good will come. That there is enough dark without you helping and indeed the goodness word by word coming from you is making a difference. Jesus taught of a broad path that led to distruction and a narrow path that leads to salvation. It is not about numbers of people that he is talking about. The narrow path is about personal one to one contact and instruction by Jesus himself. "My sheep know my voice". You remind me of Cornelius. Dust off that bible, I hope its an amplified version; it reads so much better, and read the 10th chapter of Acts. Pay close attention to v34,35. This is you isn't it? And I might get to be the Simon Peter. If you are willing, I can show you how you can find your peace and help others be happy. Aren't you already trying to do exactly that in the strength of your own will? How about some help from the maker of the universe? If your are interested, let me know.
Best wishes, Benjamin -
The title didn't ring a bell with me, Mark...but I remember this poem well, even if I have slept since then...
It's a timeless piece that holds well, even after more than a year since I last read it...Beautiful, my Friend...
Wanda
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The bible says of all the qualities of God, The one that means the most is love, because when love is used, it can cover all sins. It would be soooo nice if love were used instead of the middle finger or an atomatic .. or in the realm of fantasy; even a divorce.
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I know what you mean. If there's one thing I've been told more than anything else in my life, it's "You think too much". I would usually answer with, "Well, isn't it our ability to think, our frontal lobe, that separates us from the animals? Why not make use of it?" lol But what my well-meaning friends were really trying to say is too much intellectualizing sucks the mystery and joy out of life. I know that now and do a lot more feeling than thinking. The mind can be a bad neighborhood. The heart is a better guide.
Thanks,
Mark -
"Only faint remnants of dying religions
murdered by logic.
Our only salvation
is in the attempt to love."
"Logic" can murder the idea of love, just as it does religion. And in the grooves of that kind of thinking are the lost realities we pray for; we starve for; we live for...
With each logic-leaning thought I become thinner of heart and of spirit, as I allow them to push my desires, my ideals, into those emotionless folds; and I tell myself: "Careful...careful..."
Edited on Jun 30, 2:02 p.m. because ''. -
wow...this is absolutely stunning. your imagery is breathtaking. beautiful work.
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This is beautiful! One of the best love poems I have read, because it just shows that sometimes love doesn't always have a happy ending and that it takes two people for love to work, very lonely yet beautiful. Great Job Uncle Mark!
Love You
Sara
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I know this is an old piece of your work ..my first time reading it and it is very personal Mark..heartfelt poem..very touching..what can i say..you are great writer!keep it up..
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Hey Tiffster,
Glad you liked this one. For some reason, this one always seems to pop up when someone clicks the "return the favor" link. But it's one of my personal favorites (and uncharacteristically concise - lol) so that's alright with me.
How did you hear about The Beast? Did I mention that to you? Anyway, I'm glad you didn't mind the nitpicks on that poem. I thought it was brilliant with or without the changes.
See ya, ya whippersnapper!
Mark (AKA Old Man) lol -
Hi Margaret,
Just visiting this old piece and discovering your great comments. I loved your line - "This sandwich has a lot of meat in it." lol That's eminently quotable. Thanks!
Mark -
You're right, I do see the shared imagery. I find it "super cool" when we discover the things that key into different parts of ourselves are exactly the same for someone else - human connection [she screams] -- I'll have to check in on "The Beast" soon.... Ciao, Old Man... (comedy, it kills. Wait, forget the Old Man comment... I didn't mean it... [tehe])
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Perceptive!
This is quite an old one, I hope you don't mind where the system sent me.
This sandwich has a lot of meat in it! The preamble and the epilogue balance nicely. I agree, in relationships all our weaknesses and prejudices are exposed, leaving us to deal with it. That is painful, but it leads to resolution, as you say.
The great thing about really personal posts is that so many people reflect the feeling, or give a new perspective. It has helped me a great deal.
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Man, he is Goooood!!!
wow. Mark. POWERFUL. INTENSE. HEART-WRENCHINGLY GOOD.
I'm NOT surprised. At ALL.
...swan
YES. OUR ONLY SALVATION. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE TRUE. BRAVO!!! my Friend...
Edited on Jul 18, 1:09 p.m. because ''. -
Hi Mari,
Just reading this reply from way back in February. Thanks for understanding this so well, and for the poetic response -
"In the darkness of the night is when our deep feelings and thoughts come above. The silence that sounds in our mind helps to bring up the hidden emotions."
Perfect.
Mark
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Inthe darkness of the night is when our deep feelings and thoughts come above. The silence that sounds in our mind helps to bring up the hidden emotions.
Mark, from the begining your poems were already so wonderful!
I'm glad to be busy reading your work!
Mari
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Wonderful write, and I am glad you are sharing your talent with me I am catching up on my reading. Wonderful job as always.
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Hi Ladie,
Glad you liked this. Sorry for not commenting on your work. Since I joined, my life has been all work and very little play. I'll check out your work today, particularly Martyrs of the Song. Sounds interesting. Thanks again for stopping by.
Mark -
good
The word that comes to mind is insightful.
"My senseless word like Autmn's death doth rot me."
I hate the fast pace worl we live in. They say have the "good life" how is that possible when what you must do to get it doesn't allow you to live. The last four lines touched me the most. Logic, i spit at it, it is somthing that defines me, yet i spit at it. I was writeing about the same thing in "Martyrs of the Song" But with a different twist. I found your poetry again because you have me on your favorites list, although I dont' think you've ever commented on anything of mine. Glad I did. If music be the food of love than writeing is the very breath of life.
Curtain
Ladie
Edited on Dec 15 because ''. -
SilentPoet, xluryan, PlutoNVenus and Tiffany.
Thank you very much for your kinds words. The angst-filledpoems like this one are always hardest to post for some reason. I mean, who cares if someone criticizes "The Pretentious Coffeehouse Poet Type Guy", you know? But when it's autobiograph ical, it's sort of like walking into a party with no clothes on. So to know that you connected with this and found something personal in it for yourselves makes me very happy. Thank you.
Mark AKA HappyWanderer -
Well I knew after I read your first one that I'd be hooked and this is a marvelous follow-up. There was much depth and reality in this and the ending was a pleasant surprise. Nice work.
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i would say wow too but ya know everyone else did so ima say .....
WHOA. this is a excellent way to look at things an while i was reading this i could put it to my life. this is greatly done an it can come to a truth for many people or mabey jus me i m not sure. this was great i really like it.
Pluto~N~Venus -
wow. this poem is absolutly amazing. so so so intellectual
ly superior to everything else i've been reading lately, and at the same time, very deep. it makes me wonder a lot, about many different things, and it's always a good thing when a poem does that. i really like how you ended it too, it's almost like a really good ending to a suspense movie. and all of the flowing and phrasing in this peice were flawless. very very very nice job here, thank you. -
WOW! I have been anxiously waiting for your next post and here it is in all it's glory! This is outstanding,
I am in awe! Your talent amazes me. This is extremely well written, filled with such heart and wisdom. The imagery is wonderful and I just really, really like this! Thank you for sharing! Peace and blessings to you! 
~Janet~
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