What if I flatter myself a little
Instead of leaving it to friends
When I am gone forever?
I pass away in glory
As I did come in glamour
Leaving no friends nor foes behind
For I was my own friend and foe.
I projected my concern for myself on others
Who were not less concerned with themselves for me.
The principle was simple
Which, simply stated, was that –
You save your own soul
When your comrade fights his lone battle
For the sake of principle of a dubious kind
To shorten his suffering
Push him overboard
And say with a sharkish grin,
‘Be a better rat and know in time
When the boat is sinking.’
Propped up by a Notification
I thought I had a spine
Put to test by those carrion-eaters
Who ride on the crest of democratic winds
In post haste zest I overtook them
In performing the committed acrobatics
My cool conscience had no qualms
Because the supreme test is
Who won at last.
I think I die a hero
Do you think, no?
That is so
Because you have been a big zero.
Altruism in our time is
To perpetuate the race
Which feeds on its own kind.
Sic transit gloria mundi.
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A contest entry
- Do You Live Alone? by Judith Chandler.
700 points, ended November 7, 2008, 12 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Time to Go by Titanium.
500 points, ended November 4, 2008, 11 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 6 of 6
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A pictures worth a thousand words but allpoetry wont allow me to put up a picture of me killing my self.
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This is something that makes people short of breath it makes them stop and think. Of course, a lot of it is ironic, but done well. With words like pictures I really liked this poem.
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Push him overboard
And say with a sharkish grin,
‘Be a better rat and know in time
When the boat is sinking.’
I liked these lines alot- they got me thinking. This poem confronts the world and finds it lacking in spirituality and caring. This leaves us feeling very alone. I think this is a brave poem that confronts the issues of today.A thoughtful poem with some depth to it. Best of luck in the contest.
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mmm, I see this poem is entered in Do you live alone, which somehow speaks very sadly about how I portray muself. Friends wise this is true, and if you collaborate this in my contest, Time to go, the feel I get is quite a suicidal effect. Yes, I have had some lows but better judgement speaks of those who've left rather than those never found. I see much in this shows my trait as a writer, and the codex in this speaks wisely of, intelligence, intuition and bold beyonds, and I guess, I really do believe I am too chicken to live up to these situations, lovely read and write. Now I suppose I shall get a thank you which will reveal the author.
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Is this meant to be ironic? I too agree with being self sufficient but there have to be limits. Parts of this write sound a little bleak,
"carrion-eaters" Are you referring to people who live on social assistance, sometimes out of necessity? That stanza was a bit obscure, I thought.
Anyway, thanks for submitting this unusual write, another angle on the living alone prompt. -
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judyjudyjudy
Yes, of course it is ironic, born out of a sense of disillusionment with life in which friends are selfish and self-centered, do not stand by you when you take a stand on principle, people are unprincipled, feed on their fellow beings - carrion-eaters - a kind of dog-eat-dog culture. And you feel really lonely in such an environment - don't you? Any way, thanks for reading and commenting.
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