Blank Misgivings of a Creature moving about in Worlds not realised
I
Here am I yet, another twelvemonth spent,
One-third departed of the mortal span,
Carrying on the child into the man,
Nothing into reality. Sails rent,
And rudder broken,—reason impotent—
Affections all unfixed; so forth I fare
On the mid seas unheedingly, so dare
To do and to be done by, well content.
So was it from the first, so is it yet;
Yea, the first kiss that by these lips was set
On any human lips, methinks was sin—
Sin, cowardice, and falsehood; for the will
Into a deed e’en then advanced, wherein
God, unidentified, was thought-of still.
II
Though to the vilest things beneath the moon
For poor Ease’ sake I give away my heart,
And for the moment’s sympathy let part
My sight and sense of truth, Thy precious boon,
My painful earnings, lost, all lost, as soon,
Almost, as gained: and though aside I start,
Belie Thee daily, hourly,—still Thou art,
Art surely as in heaven the sun at noon;
How much so e’er I sin, whate’er I do
Of evil, still the sky above is blue,
The stars look down in beauty as before
It is enough to walk as best we may,
To walk, and sighing, dream of that blest day
When ill we cannot quell shall be no more.
III
Well, well,—Heaven bless you all from day to day!
Forgiveness too, or e’er we part, from each,
As I do give it. so must I beseech
I owe all much, much more than I can pay;
Therefore it is I go; how could I stay
Where every look commits me to fresh debt,
And to pay little I must borrow yet I
Enough of this already, now away!
With silent woods and hills untenanted
Let me go commune; under thy sweet gloom,
O kind maternal Darkness, hide my head
The day may come I yet may re-assume
My place, and, these tired limbs recruited, seek
The task for which I now am all too weak.
IV
Yes, I have lied, and so must walk my way,
Bearing the liar’s curse upon my head;
Letting my weak and sickly heart be fed
On food which does the present craving stay,
But may be clean-denied me e’en to-day,
And tho’ ’twere certain, yet were ought but bread;
Letting—for so they say, it seems, I said,
And I am all too weak to disobey!
Therefore for me sweet Nature’s scenes reveal not
Their charm; sweet Music greets me and I feel not;
Sweet eyes pass off me uninspired; yea, more,
The golden tide of opportunity
Flows wafting-in friendships and better,—I
Unseeing, listless, pace along the shore.
V
How often sit I, poring o’er
My strange distorted youth,
Seeking in vain, in all my store,
One feeling based on truth;
Amid the maze of petty life
A clue whereby to move,
A spot whereon in toil and strife
To dare to rest and love.
So constant as my heart would be,
So fickle as it must,
’Twere well for others as for me
’Twere dry as summer dust.
Excitements come, and act and speech
Flow freely forth; but no,
Nor they, nor ought beside can reach
The buried world below.
VI
—— Like a child
In some strange garden left awhile alone,
I pace about the pathways of the world,
Plucking light hopes and joys from every stem,
With qualms of vague misgiving in my heart
That payment at the last will be required,
Payment I cannot make, or guilt incurred,
And shame to be endured.
VII
—— Roused by importunate knocks
I rose, I turned the key, and let them in,
First one, anon another, and at length
In troops they came; for how could I, who once
Had let in one, nor looked him in the face,
Show scruples e’er again? So in they came,
A noisy band of revellers,—vain hopes,
Wild fancies, fitful joys; and there they sit
In my heart’s holy place, and through the night
Carouse, to leave it when the cold grey dawn
Gleams from the East, to tell me that the time
For watching and for thought bestowed is gone.
VIII
O kind protecting Darkness! as a child
Flies back to bury in its mother’s lap
His shame and his confusion, so to thee,
O Mother Night, come I! within the folds
Of thy dark robe hide thou me close; for I
So long, so heedless, with external things
Have played the liar, that whate’er I see,
E’en these white glimmering curtains, yon bright stars,
Which to the rest rain comfort down, for me
Smiling those smiles, which I may not return,
Or frowning frowns of fierce triumphant malice,
As angry claimants or expectants sure
Of that I promised and may not perform,
Look me in the face! O hide me, Mother Night!
IX
Once more the wonted road I tread,
Once more dark heavens above me spread,
Upon the windy down I stand,
My station whence the circling land
Lies mapped and pictured wide below;—
Such as it was, such e’en again,
Long dreary bank, and breadth of plain
By hedge or tree unbroken;—lo,
A few grey woods can only show
How vain their aid, and in the sense
Of one unaltering impotence,
Relieving not, meseems enhance
The sovereign dulness of the expanse.
Yet marks where human hand hath been,
Bare house, unsheltered village, space
Of ploughed and fenceless tilth between
(Such aspect as methinks may be
In some half-settled colony),
From Nature vindicate the scene;
A wide, and yet disheartening view,
A melancholy world.
’Tis true,
Most true; and yet, like those strange smiles
By fervent hope or tender thought
From distant happy regions brought,
Which upon some sick bed are seen
To glorify a pale worn face
With sudden beauty,—so at whiles
Lights have descended, hues have been,
To clothe with half-celestial grace
The bareness of the desert place.
Since so it is, so be it still!
Could only thou, my heart, be taught
To treasure, and in act fulfil
The lesson which the sight has brought;
In thine own dull and dreary state
To work and patiently to wait:
Little thou think’st in thy despair
How soon the o’ershaded sun may shine,
And e’en the dulling clouds combine
To bless with lights and hues divine
That region desolate and bare,
Those sad and sinful thoughts of thine!
Still doth the coward heart complain;
The hour may come, and come in vain;
The branch that withered lies and dead
No suns can force to lift its head.
True!—yet how little thou canst tell
How much in thee is ill or well;
Nor for thy neighbour nor for thee,
Be sure, was life designed to be
A draught of dull complacency.
One Power too is it, who doth give
The food without us, and within
The strength that makes it nutritive:
He bids the dry bones rise and live,
And e’en in hearts depraved to sin
Some sudden, gracious influence,
May give the long-lost good again,
And wake within the dormant sense
And love of good;—for mortal men,
So but thou strive, thou soon shalt see
Defeat itself is victory.
So be it: yet, O Good and Great,
In whom in this bedarkened state
I fain am struggling to believe,
Let me not ever cease to grieve,
Nor lose the consciousness of ill
Within me;—and refusing still
To recognise in things around
What cannot truly there be found,
Let me not feel, nor be it true,
That, while each daily task I do,
I still am giving day by day
My precious things within away
(Those thou didst give to keep as thine),
And casting, do whate’er I may,
My heavenly pearls to earthly swine.
poem by Arthur Hugh Clough
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
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Related quotes
Reason and Passion XV
And the priestess spoke again and said: "Speak to us of Reason and Passion."
And he answered saying:
Your soul is oftentimes a battlefield, upon which your reason and your judgment wage war against passion and your appetite.
Would that I could be the peacemaker in your soul, that I might turn the discord and the rivalry of your elements into oneness and melody.
But how shall I, unless you yourselves be also the peacemakers, nay, the lovers of all your elements?
Your reason and your passion are the rudder and the sails of your seafaring soul.
If either your sails or our rudder be broken, you can but toss and drift, or else be held at a standstill in mid-seas.
For reason, ruling alone, is a force confining; and passion, unattended, is a flame that burns to its own destruction.
Therefore let your soul exalt your reason to the height of passion; that it may sing;
And let it direct your passion with reason, that your passion may live through its own daily resurrection, and like the phoenix rise above its own ashes.
I would have you consider your judgment and your appetite even as you would two loved guests in your house.
Surely you would not honour one guest above the other; for he who is more mindful of one loses the love and the faith of both.
Among the hills, when you sit in the cool shade of the white poplars, sharing the peace and serenity of distant fields and meadows - then let your heart say in silence, "God rests in reason."
And when the storm comes, and the mighty wind shakes the forest, and thunder and lightning proclaim the majesty of the sky, - then let your heart say in awe, "God moves in passion."
And since you are a breath In God's sphere, and a leaf in God's forest, you too should rest in reason and move in passion.
poem by Khalil Gibran
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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A Broken Child
A broken child hides at night.
A broken child cries in fright.
A broken child hides the bruise.
A broken child is pushed and refused.
A broken child always with heartache.
A broken child who cannot fake.
A broken child who has no treasure.
A broken child used for sinful pleasure.
A broken child is so scared.
A broken child has no faith to bare.
A broken child lost in dispair.
I am the broken child, the one that no one cares.
poem by Haley Brown
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Broken child
I see the face of a broken child.
A child who has seen more than his young eyes should.
I see the face of a broken child.
A child who would run away from it all if he could.
I see the face of a broken child.
A child who has been ravished by the likes of you and I.
I see the face of a broken child.
A child with to much pride to cry.
I see the face off a broken child.
a child who fights off anyone who cares.
I see the face of a broken child.
A child who wishes his mother was there.
I see the face of a broken child.
A child who wont let his hardships keep him down.
I see the face of a broken child.
A child who refuses to give up and reveal a frown.
poem by Joshua Reid
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Rent
(again... again... again... ooooh
(again... again... again... again... ...)
You dress me up, Im your puppet
You buy me things, I love it
You bring me food, I need it
You give me love, I feed it
And look at the two of us in sympathy
With everything we see
I never want anything, its easy
You buy whatever I need
But look at my hopes, look at my dreams
The currency weve spent
(ooooh) I love you, oh, you pay my rent
(ooooh) I love you, oh, you pay my rent
You phone me in the evening on hearsay
And bought me caviar
You took me to a restaurant off broadway
To tell me who you are
We never-ever argue, we never calculate
The currency weve spent
(ooooh) I love you, oh, you pay my rent
(ooooh) I love you, you pay my rent
(ooooh) I love you, oh, you pay my rent
Im your puppet
I love it
And look at the two of us in sympathy
And sometimes ecstasy
Words mean so little, and money less
When youre lying next to me
But look at my hopes, look at my dreams
The currency weve spent
(ooooh) I love you, oh, you pay my rent
(ooooh) I love you, you pay my rent
(ooooh) ooh, I love you, you pay my rent
Look at my hopes, look at my dreams
The currency weve spent
(ooooh) I love you, oh, you pay my rent
(ooooh) I love you, you pay my rent
Look at my hopes, look at my dreams
The currency weve spent
(ooooh) I love you, oh, you pay my rent
(ooooh) I love you, you pay my rent
(ooooh) I love you, you pay my rent (its easy, its so easy)
(ooooh) you pay my rent (its easy, its so easy)
(ooooh) you pay my rent (its easy, its so easy)
(ooooh) I love you (its easy, its so easy)
(its easy, its so easy)
(its easy, its so easy)
(its easy, its so easy)
(its easy, its so easy)
(its easy, its so easy)
(its easy, its so easy)
song performed by by Pet Shop Boys
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Of Getting A Female Child...!
My mother dreamt of a boy child
While she was carrying me
in her womb;
Alas! I was born! A female child,
My father has to save a portion of his salary
For my marriage to settle with the dowry;
While I attained puberty,
My father spent a portion
To make his savings empty;
I have to forgo my dream
Of my college degree and
Settle with higher secondary;
Nowadays I find lot of photos
Of eligible bridegrooms
Spread over my shelf;
The boys who planned to love me
Vexed with my horoscope
And departed me;
I made a decision finally
Not to marry
To avoid the worry
Of me getting a female child…!
poem by V.K. Kanniappan
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Hope
Stars scattered all over the sky.
It seems to be a party in the Heaven
Poor souls lit candles in the Hell.
And have their daily bread.
A ship named 'Hope' without the rudder and broken sails
Carry happiness and prosperity to a distant Island.
poem by Nimal Dunuhinga
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Im Carrying
By dawns first light Ill come back to your room again
With my carnation hidden by the packages
Im carrying, something
Im carrying something for you
Ah, long time no see baby sure has been a while
And if my reappearance lacks a sense of style
Im carrying, something
Im carrying something for you
Im carrying.
Im carrying, cant help it.
Im carrying.
Im carrying something for you.
song performed by by Paul McCartney
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Deep Sea
Enormous dreams as ghosts on horizon
soul in troubled waters
without the sails and a broken rudder.
New Moon guides with twinkling stars.
a Mermaid's song en route the passage
and gives strength to survive.
Lighthouse is unlit
and the Love country is not visible yet.
poem by Nimal Dunuhinga
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Mother And Child, The Strongest Bond
So broken, broken spirit, broken heart, shattered heart, broken trust, must be strong, for herself, and the life of her child, to protect herself and her child, to survive, nowhere to go, no home, nowhere to hide, so exposed, how? You ask? How does she keep on going? In hope for someone to love her without breaking her down so badly, and for her child's sake, how? She asks, how can i trust someone, when so many people burned me? And put me down so many times? Nothing's there anymore, no feeling, just hope, but hope's fading fast, she can only dream, but the dreams are fading fast too, teaching her child to trust no one, but she doesn't know how long she'll last, the only reason why she's hung on so tightly is for her child, her child, the strongest bond is the love between a mother and child........
poem by Shannon Lasater
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My Love
on a dark night
when i cannot see the path
where i must walk upon
on blistered feet
you shall be my star
my moon
and you shall guide my way
on a storm
when my sails are threatened
by the waves
bigger than houses and boats
you shall be my
strong rudder
but now my love
you are sleeping
you struggle too on your nightmares
i see you
wriggling in pain
i will always be with you
for now, i am your star, your moon, your sun
your rudder
i can wait
when you wake up
at this moment
i must be strong
poem by Antonio Liao
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted
As I walk this land of broken dreams
I have visions of many things
But happiness is just an illusion
Filled with sadness and confusion
What becomes of the brokenhearted
Who had love thats now departed
I know Ive got to find
Some kind of peace of mind
Maybe
The roots of love grow all around
But for me they come a tumbling down
Every day heartaches grow a little stronger
I cant stand this pain much longer
I walk in shadows searching for light
Cold and alone no comfort in sight
Hoping and praying for someone who cares
Always moving and going nowhere
What becomes of the brokenhearted
Who had love thats now departed
I know Ive got to find
Some kind of peace of mind
Help me, please
Im searching though I dont succeed
For someones love theres a growing need
All is lost theres no place for beginning
All thats left is an unhappy ending
Now what becomes of the brokenhearted
Who had love thats now departed
I know Ive got to find
Some kind of peace of mind
Ill be searching everywhere
Just to find someone to care
Ill be looking every day
I know Im gonna find a way
Nothings going to stop me now
Ill find a way somehow
What becomes of the broken hearted
Who had love thats now departed
I know Ive got to find
Some kind of peace of mind, maybe
Oh yeah
What becomes of the broken hearted
Who had love thats now departed
What becomes of the broken hearted
Who had love thats now departed
What becomes of the broken hearted
song performed by by Westlife
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Mortal Love
mortality does
not ask for love eternal
mortal love
cannot outlive eternity’s edge
to an infinite span
mortal love
does not ask forever
never
mortal love
makes lies, makes changes,
twists and turns
mortal love is simple
like a dimple
one tongue
to one earthly word
nope
may do
may say something else
It is only asking
That you love
One day at a time
With all allowance for change
For a wider space
Leeways
Choices
Mortal love is free
frivolous
this love of mine
Today is just enough
mortal
And so rightly deserved
A mortal like me
Also bleeds
Weeds filled
No promises, just a hug, an embrace
And
A kiss, then could be, goodbye.
Because mortal love
Dies, like a wind passing by
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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A Floating Boat Needs a Rudder
You seek direction!
That's what you claim to need.
And you want to stay clear...
Of a negativity that teases and schemes.
And you say to me,
You've got to float your own boat.
But fear prevents you,
To listen to advice you toss away...
Before anywhere you go.
You're afraid to row,
A boat that stays on shore!
And advice you're given...
Your are quick to ignore.
Any boat that you'll use will need a rudder.
That boat you use will need a rudder.
Any boat you will use will need a rudder,
From here to there...
Or wherever your druthers.
That boat you're using needs a rudder.
That boat you're using needs a rudder.
That boat you're using needs a rudder...
From here to there...
Or wherever your druthers.
You seek direction!
That's what you claim to need.
And you want to stay clear...
Of a negativity that teases and schemes.
And you say to me,
You've got to float your own boat.
But fear prevents you,
To listen to advice you toss away...
Before anywhere you go.
And you don't want to hear...
A floating boat needs a rudder!
Not from me,
Or anyone other.
No you don't want to hear...
A floating boat needs a rudder!
Not from me,
Or anyone other.
That that that boat,
That you're using needs a rudder.
One day you'll see...
A floating boat needs a rudder!
One day you'll find it true...
And agree with me.
That that that boat,
That you're using needs a rudder.
That that that boat,
That you're using needs a rudder.
One day you'll see...
A floating boat needs a rudder!
One day you'll find it true...
And agree with me.
No matter what druthers suffered...
One day you'll agree.
A floating boat needs a rudder...
To get to your destiny!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Whose Truth Is Reality?
Whose truth is reality?
And why are the many eyes focused upon it,
Seeing reality quite differently?
With many refusing,
To believe in any of it at all.
It is odd how those say they do know God exist.
With bragging rights about their religious affiliations.
But ask one of them,
When was it they stepped out of their way...
Based solely on their faith?
Do you get a look in return that offends?
Or...
Do you get a sermon to hear,
With scriptures quoted...
To make their beliefs understood.
And for some reason...
Their carrying a Bible should make that clear?
And that question you had asked,
Goes unanswered.
As an excuse is made,
To leave from your presence...
As fast as they came.
And under their breath you are called a name.
People are not up to that task.
Disguising 'your' reality...
They prefer to hide,
Behind 'their' masks!
Whose truth is reality?
Really?
And why are the many eyes focused upon it,
Seeing reality quite differently?
With many refusing,
To believe in any of it at all.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Not A Hint Of A Breeze
Stuck without a rudder.
And there is not a hint of a breeze,
To puff up and push my sails.
I have clearly stopped my rush,
To begin to notice and appreciate my life.
And suddenly I am relieved.
As far back as I can remember,
I can not say I have ever enjoyed...
Either the Sunrise or Sunset,
With such quiet enthusiasm...
As I sit and feel such incredible peace.
With stars at night to twinkle bright,
Right above my head...
I have discovered a reason to smile.
And with a clarified purpose...
I have now an intention that invites my happiness.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Gun
The man has a gun
He knows how to use it
Nine millimeter browning
Lets see what he can do
Hell point at your mouth
Say that hell blow your brains out
Dont you mess with me
Carrying a gun
Carrying a gun
Carrying a gun
Dont you mess with me
Carrying a gun
Carrying a gun
Carrying a gun
Dont mess with me
Ooohhh, carrying a gun
Get over there
Move slowly
Ill put a hole in your face
If you even breathe a word
Tell the lady to lie down
I want, ah, you to be sure to see this
I wouldnt want you to miss a second
Watch your wife
Carrying a gun
Shooting with a gun
Dirty animal
Carrying a gun
Carrying a gun
Watch you face
Carrying a gun
Carrying a gun
Carrying a gun
The animal dies with fear in his eyes
With a gun
Dont touch him, dont touch him
Stay away from him, hes got a gun
song performed by by Lou Reed
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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No Way Out
Flesh [Bizzy]
Could you tell me where you'd run to? [When it's rent time and I done spent mine baby.]
When it ain't nowhere to turn to. [When it's rent time and I done spent mine baby.]
Could you tell me where you'd run to? [When the L.A.P.D. see you ridin' dirty
song performed by by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony from BTNHResurrection
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Who Kicked You Out?
For what reason...
Would I 'now' need you?
You no longer connect,
With any emotion I attempted to share.
And you had none there.
None I was aware of in my life.
Financially you spent no expense.
And I sleep peacefully at night.
Not worryng how I'll pay my bills or rent.
Without a cent or a hint of it from you.
You abandoned me!
For what reason would I now need you?
With you out of the picture,
Not a moment do I spend...
Wishing for something or someone,
I do not have.
I am happy and blessed.
And for that I am glad.
And you appear here unannounced to say,
My need for you...
Has been on 'your' mind all day?
You didn't say that weeks ago.
When you chose to play the field.
And said to me you wouldn't see me anymore.
For what reason,
Would I now need you?
And who wisened up,
To figure you out?
Who kick you out of their house?
This I do know...
Blood suckers, leeches and snakes,
Know nothing about love.
And I thank you for teaching me that!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Broken Hearted
By eric clapton and greg phillinganes
When the wind blows down this hard,
Many a bond is broken.
See the water lie on the ground
From where the heavens opened.
Lord, how will you get through this night
With your dreams departed?
And who alone will comfort you?
Only the broken hearted.
So youve gone beyond your means,
Every wound is open,
Your best laid plans are out of reach,
And all your fears unspoken.
Chorus
Sweet revenge is spoken then;
In the twilight it is gone.
To living lies with no escape,
Lord, I would rather be alone.
I press my fingers to the wood
To tell you of my dreaming,
To sing you songs from olden times,
To keep the love light gleaming.
cause theres a place where we can go,
Where we will not be parted.
And who alone will enter there?
Only the broken hearted.
Only the broken, broken hearted.
Only the broken, broken hearted.
Only the broken, broken hearted.
Only the broken, broken hearted.
song performed by by Eric Clapton
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Self Portrait
I can see this world in a different way- from this world I hid for many years.
Riding a ship towards some other galaxy,
Though only inside of my mind-
The rain would pour down upon the real world, and
In the mid winter the snow would fall, but
Lost in some other place in time, I only saw the sun.
I was a rare bird whose wings would carry me
High above the treetops, the mountains and
Even above the highest clouds,
Traveling far away from everybody and everything that was real.
Rain, sleet and hail would fall, though all I could see was a rainbow,
Glistening within the sky, high above the mountains-
I placed no trust in the people who walked upon the ground below,
Although it hardly mattered- I could always converse with those people
Who lived within the kingdom inside of my mind.
I would board a ship, its full sails to the wind,
Carrying me towards the world of my dreams-
Today I see the world in a different way-Now I see reality,
I see reality- hunger, war and people who threaten, and
All I can do is place my hands over my eyes, hoping to shut this cruel world out.
The ship I rode to some other place has been lost somewhere in the sky and
A rare bird, whose wings are now broken, I now see the world under a different light.
Somebody took me and locked me away last night and I have become
A prisoner inside of my own mind-upon that ship with fallen sails
I feel as if I am on a pathway headed towards nowhere-
I place my hands over my eyes. Attempting to hide from all that is real,
Unable to find peace of mind, unable to find my rainbow.
I find myself alone inside of an empty room, with no windows and a door that is locked-
I converse with the voices that speak to me inside of my mind-as
These, nobody can take them away from me and
They are all that is left of my dreams…
poem by Claudia Krizay
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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