navwin » Archives » Dark Poetry #2 » The great melodrama of life and death
Dark Poetry #2
Post A Reply Post New Topic The great melodrama of life and death Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
brian madden
Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 4374
ireland

0 posted 2000-07-29 02:08 PM


This poem was supposed to be a response to the "life is a stage" challenge a few months ago, I never finished the poem, this is only the first part and the second part is just terrible.

THIS IS NOT AN EXIT* the final line in Bret Easton Ellis' book "American Psycho

---------------------------------------
Part 1

Fingers poise upon my face,
I have masked this body,
not for the first or last lie.
The tears of a clown are but diamonds
in the rough waiting their turn to be
hatched as starlets or fashions accessories.
Life is a stage, a stage, a grand stage
each day to be played to its finest
with dialogue to be recited with
vigour and gusto.
It is true, we are all actors
Laugh all you want but I see
you slyly pocket your masks,
jester, mother, murderer, lover
the question is not who but "What are you today?"

It tears inside my stomach, a bile
volcano threatening to erupt
in a flood of panic, a thousand butterflies
flutter maniacally inside of me.
THIS IS NOT AN EXIT*
do they not understand?
They are growing restless, foaming
in anticipation, they can almost taste
my fear, salty sweat
wages a war upon  my spine.
SPOTLIGHT.CUE.CENTRE STAGE.
In the depths of reflection I question their motives
do they feel guilt or shame as if they have walked in
on something private and sacred?
This is my life after all; I may have been born
under the stoplight, scrutinised
from my first breath.
Sure I relished my part
adlibbing with grand improvisation
I was young knew nothing of the
constraints of my role
or clauses in my contract.
The reviews were soon posted
the wolves had their feast of me.
I had played the child, the loveable one
No more. The curtains descend
the lights dim and the vicious circle is drawn
I took centre stage alone,
The venomous tongue slapped hard.
There were no intermissions, theatre is continuos
as tragedy is relentless.  The spotlight fades to black
I am in pieces, twitching and trembling…….End of act one.  

Epilogue to part 1

So what happened to me, in that brief
moment of respite, it all came into focus
their hideous faces distorted in venom.
Their hands bashing down on my chest
and when that stopped the words spilled
from their gorges, like tiny blades
each syllable cut deeper. What is one to do?
The show must continue, regroup and prepare
to go down in a blaze of  glorious stupidity.
Yes the nobility of the Komakasi,
Take me you vile leeches finish me.
I marched out my eyes ablaze; I will not die scared.
Nothing, not one face, they had all left.
seems they grew weary of torturing me,
off to another poor soul. May they have mercy on his soul.
I was left alone to pity to lick the wounds and finally heal.  



"A frog, it cannot comprehend the sea Nor me happiness" Paul Draper-Mansun

© Copyright 2000 brian madden - All Rights Reserved
Marina
Member Elite
since 2000-02-10
Posts 2245
Pickering, Ontario
1 posted 2000-07-29 03:02 PM


This some great writing Brian!  Very dark and cryptic.  Well done.

Marina


It is a blessing to have wings for words, and passion in pen
Marina Crossley


catalinamoon
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-03
Posts 9543
The Shores of Alone
2 posted 2000-07-29 11:37 PM


Brian, your writing is always so deep and intense. I never know quite what to say. It seems to me that you should be writing books of these, your work always sounds so professional to me.
cat....

Practice can make anything perfect...even grief can become an art.
Merrit Malloy

DJLI
Member
since 2000-06-21
Posts 237
TN, USA
3 posted 2000-07-29 11:51 PM


very dark and very good...you've got a great message here

EVEN ANGELS FALL.

Nikolette Sadness
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member
since 2000-07-29
Posts 337
port richey fl.
4 posted 2000-07-30 12:23 PM


as we are actors so be us liars in a great scheem that we call the stage.
            Nikolette Sadness

i was once in love and happy...but you can call me Sadness.

brian madden
Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 4374
ireland
5 posted 2000-07-30 07:40 AM


Marina thanks for kind words.

cat, thanks for very kind words, but I am still learning the trade. A book will hopeful come one day. Thanks for your wonderful words.

DJLI, thanks.

Nik, thanks.



"A frog, it cannot comprehend the sea Nor me happiness" Paul Draper-Mansun

Lynne Dale
Member
since 2000-07-18
Posts 114
Melbourne Victoria
6 posted 2000-07-30 09:15 AM


This is so dark almost with no light. I hope things aren't like this for you in real life.
Be well
Kethry

Kethry.
When dark of night steals your soul. Think of me and be made whole.


brian madden
Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 4374
ireland
7 posted 2000-07-30 03:43 PM


Kethry, thanks for your response. At one stage yes I did feel this way but I have "lick(ed) the wounds and finally heal(ed)." Thanks for your concern and wonderful response.

"I am melancholy, flower cutting through stone"
manic street preachers

MMoonchild
Senior Member
since 2000-07-13
Posts 1715
PA
8 posted 2000-07-30 03:57 PM


Brian...you  are  filled with so much creativity, I am in awe...
~~softly
Maureen

SpitFire
Member Elite
since 2000-04-19
Posts 2396

9 posted 2000-07-30 06:13 PM


~Brian,...although this is dark...I am dancing here. Sort of a jumping thingy,..but all in excitement of this writing. I'm still enjoying it. Such an incredible read. Take care you,...and thank you for the hugs and smiles (back at ya). *Peace.
taramw
Senior Member
since 2000-06-08
Posts 738

10 posted 2000-07-31 06:30 AM


Brian... wow! This piece of writing is EXCEPTIONAL!    Thoroughly enjoyed the read!
Deborah1
Senior Member
since 2000-06-22
Posts 653
New Hampshire
11 posted 2000-07-31 08:26 AM


Yes, your work is very interesting!! Also I enjoy the details, alot of creative writing here!!! Hope to see more

The fragrance always stays in the hand that gives the rose...--Hada Bejar

Wren
Member
since 2000-07-05
Posts 312

12 posted 2000-07-31 11:22 AM


Wow! Please write more to this, this poem is great!
-Wren

The thread of destiny
Unknown by anyone
Unseen by anyone
Winds around your heart
Moist with tears
-Vampire Princess Miyu Theme

Sudhir Iyer
Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943
Mumbai, India : now in Belgium
13 posted 2000-07-31 11:34 AM


EXCELLENT WRITING, my friend....

Brian... here is an addition or result of what you came up... lets see what you feel about this...

A callous embezzler
of the poor man's funds,
the hooded snake is
for today the tax man.
The poor man suffers in
silent acceptance, throws
himself upon the park bench
in cold heartless night.

Tomorrow is another day.

The masked one is the law
He kicks the poor man
from the streets for sleeping
on "public" property.

"They have paid taxes
for the park
and paid royalty
for the colour on the bench,
and you wastrel,
you wretch, you scumbag
sleep on it, go scoot,
find some dark corner
to get rid of your filth"

Life-What else do you wish to show?
Life-Where else do you want to lead?
Life-Is this what you call a centre stage?
Life-Are you in anyway better than death?

The poor man who till
yesterday was a gentle man
is now a scumbag, a wastrel,
a dog without a bone.
"Let me give the dog a bone"
said the young mind and
threw him a dime and offered
his pity for a dime.

And he expects a "Thank You" note.

Death-Why are you late to come today?
Death-Why don't you just blow me away?
Death-Could you please drop the curtains?
Death-Would you please end this life's drama

A rich man dies once, a poor man does each night.

......

any good???

regards,
sudhir

brian madden
Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 4374
ireland
14 posted 2000-07-31 03:08 PM


Maureen, blushing at your comments tahnks.

Spitfire, is this a solo dance or can I join in. Ok I will take have the hugs and smiles but you are keeping half as well.   and this extra smile   thanks for your very generous words.

taramw, wow. Big Thanks.

Deb, THanks for your wonderful response.

Wren, I hope to. I actually wanted write about a whole person's life with the stage metaphor hence the title but the 2nd part sucks bad. So I will see what happens. THanks.

Sudhir, thank you for your poetry. I want to see this posted in OPen. WOW. any good. This is incredible. Thank you for sharing this with me. It deserves a larger audience though, please post this in one of the forums at some stage.    


"I am melancholy, flower cutting through stone"
manic street preachers

Sudhir Iyer
Member Ascendant
since 2000-04-26
Posts 6943
Mumbai, India : now in Belgium
15 posted 2000-08-01 06:03 AM


Brian,
I will do so as you bid me to ... but in a few days after a bit of a retouch... This was a bit of a reaction writng, when I did not think much, the words just came on and on till I thought time to stop... This is the awesome power of your poem speaking from my words, my friend... Thanks for your support as always...

regards,
sudhir

juliet_2u
Senior Member
since 2000-07-23
Posts 1125
North Carolina
16 posted 2000-08-01 09:55 AM


Brian, this was so wow, just wow. Loved it!
   Juls

Post A Reply Post New Topic ⇧ top of page ⇧ Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.
navwin » Archives » Dark Poetry #2 » The great melodrama of life and death

Passions in Poetry | pipTalk Home Page | Main Poetry Forums | 100 Best Poems

How to Join | Member's Area / Help | Private Library | Search | Contact Us | Login
Discussion | Tech Talk | Archives | Sanctuary