I can throw fits
seizures that frighten the devil out of your heart
into the arms of my arches
the bars of my hospital home
my church
I can jingle the change in my pocket
drown out the highways
speeches
the mumbling of grunts in the mines of despair
the groaning of mothers
for truth and one act of compassion
I can cast spells
conjure up guilt with one ring of
unparalleled power
I can whisper beautiful vitriol
turning your thoughts in the mirror –
away from the gentle withdrawal of life
into the terrors of death
I can vomit up thunderous birds and beasts
or harvest an unthinking silence
from hobbling martyrs and weekend slaves
as coin for some perfect redemption
I can weep from a statue
glue lives together
soften the blow
I can believe
what can you do
little man
sunning yourself on the beach of your virtual morals
daring to mock and defy me
*
under the haloed sun
flowers grow
whether or not they are planted
Author notes
Quote Prompt:
"Moral indignation is jealousy with a halo."
- H. G. Wells (1866-1946)
Religion. Atheism. Meanwhile, there's just beauty.....
A contest entry
- NO GREENS! - A Rounds Contest by Pamela A Lamppa.
1700 points, ended January 20, 23 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 20 of 20
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a very powerful piece of poetry. The images you conjure are biblical in effect, yet modern and individual in their approach. Interesting.
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Loved This Line
I can whisper beautiful vitriol
So can so many others without admitting it.
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Excellent
A very fine write. You have expressed your thoughts quite well. Thanks for sharing this one with us. -
Great write! I love it.
"under the haloed sun
flowers grow
whether or not they are planted"
^ I love how you built up to this. It's incredible.
Keep writing.
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Good write.
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outstanding!
your language is strong - them's there fightin' words- yet in the end you arrive at a simple truth that renders the irrelevance of the battle.
very well done
good luck
ken
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The build up to this ending is absolutely incredible. How those last three lines of simple truth spell more than all of the spouting and touting of "holier and than thou" and the lot.
Impressive work and absolutely humbling. You have really gone above and beyond. Bravo dear poet. Bravo. Best of luck in this round. ~Pamela
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This is such a postive view of life with unusual and interesting imagery. Instead of running someone else down, you have shown that a good life is the best "revenge". Good luck in this contest. Peace, Liz
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Yes, nature is beautiful without worries of value systems
The little man bathing in his sanctimonious glory can not do as much as you. I like the way your poem attacks his 'moral' virtue.
A poem with food for thought.
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As ever, thanks for your thoughtful comments.
Just wanted to clarify: the "I" in the poem is Religion. I am the sanctimonious little Atheist. Both sides are "morally indignant" about the other's stance and yet, there is a faint jealousy - that one side can live with miracles and that the other can do without.
Hope that helps. Again, thanks for your time. p
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No crown of glory there to be mocked...under the sun. What a great take on the prompt. Always enjoy your reads and they really take the reader in deep. Leaving us even comtemplating more out of what you have written. Thank you for sharing this poem with us. Good luck in the contest. ~Sie
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An astonishing piece! The images you present here are outstanding, I especially liked:
"I can vomit up thunderous birds and beasts
or harvest an unthinking silence
from hobbling martyrs and weekend slaves
as coin for some perfect redemption"
and the quasi-haiku you end this with, a lateral shift that effectively gives insight as well as suitable closure to the poem
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You turned yourself into a magic mistress of rebellion. lol. Cool. I like how you made yourself seem to have other powers and abilities that other didn't possess.
I can throw fits
seizures that frighten the devil out of your heart
into the arms of my arches
the bars of my hospital home
my church
Your church... Now that's a scary thought. Is this a mental hospital? And by meaning church do you mean that the people are trying to brain wash you into thinking things that might or might not be true? The bars of the hospital home, how you throw fits... Maybe because you're not normal like the rest and they punish you for not fitting into society as well as they'd like?
Your poem was deep, and showed me a personal side that you're trying define.
Best Regards,
Holly
comments are returned. -
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Thanks for your kind and thoughtful comments!
Every interpretation you found, every question you asked is correct.
The context, however, is religion - the "I" - speaking to the little man "me", (the atheist).
While both sides bang on about morals, the flowers just get on with living...
lol
Very best, p
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Oh my...powerfully assertive poetry...you employed poetic device well and just ripped a fast flowing river of words with weight...
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wow an amazing poem i love this write it utterly gave me chills.
"under the haloed sun
flowers grow
whether or not they are planted"
i think this is an amazing ending. you did a great job even after reading the last three lines a second time they still gave me chills. once again, an amazing piece of poetry
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great job i think you really have wonderful talent. i really enjoyed reading this poem
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wow, this was amazing, I was rarely rendered speechless until I came to this sight. thank you for a poem of power.
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Very nice write, and take on the prompt. This piece had a good flow and a sort of familiarity to it. Much enjoyed. Well done.
Tod.
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Very intersesting. Great take on the prompt. I enjoyed the poem.
Mike
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