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Open Poetry #27
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Comfortably Numb
| Open Poetry #27 |
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Comfortably Numb |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada 
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Comfortably Numb She’d watched it now for forty years – a sickening, slow decay, A population bent on self-destruction, come what may; She wondered where it all went wrong, and how this had begun, The fall of all she’d known and loved … society had won. It hurt to watch, it hurt to feel the loss of innocence, A world in chronic pain with little hope for recompense; She’d lost her will, her strength to cope, she’d lost her need to “feel”, And so she sought an antidote to save her from the “real”. She craved a means within her mind to distance her from hate, Too vulnerable and sensitive to watch it escalate; No medication strong enough could block the vile decline, The final breakdown looming large, by horrid, cruel design. The doctors had a remedy (they always did it seemed), “Desensitize Your Feelings” was the campaign someone schemed; A bill was passed by politicians – ALL were to abide; For years it had been in effect … most feelings were denied. The rhetoric they touted for all people large and small, Was just a tiny operation … nothing much at all; It numbed you from the shock and fear, alleviated cares, Desensitized from hopeless crimes and tragic world affairs. The thought of never “feeling” was too ludicrous, she’d thought, And so, she’d dodged the system – it was something she had fought; She watched the news, she saw it all, she “felt” each sad disgrace, As nightly anchors read the news, indifference on their face. She’d tried – Oh, how she’d tried to disassociate her mind, But as the world grew worse, the horrors played in sick rewind; The images became too much for anyone to bare, And so she gave up willingly with quiet, sad despair. Now here she lay upon a table, though it seemed surreal, Her wrists and legs were shackled to the coldness of the steel, Utensils, sleek and shiny lined the counters to her side, While sterile scents fought rot and stench within her mind’s collide. A lamp shone down upon her, shadows moved just out of sight, While murmurs in the distance filled her shattered mind with fright; Her memories, like pinpricks teased her thoughts with fear and doubt, She strained to hear the voices as she glided in and out. Awash in endless agony, adrift in pointless pain, She was the last remaining hope within a world insane; The doctor said, “Don’t worry now, we’ve all been there before.” “You won’t “feel” anything my dear – not now or evermore.” She drifted off to never land, awoke another day, Upon her couch, remote in hand, the TV down the way; She flicked the channels back and forth, as ghastly pictures rolled, The horrors of the day espoused through voices plain and cold. The anchors read the nightly news, she listened without care, Another death, another riot … chaos in the air; She followed with a hollow heart – a “Stepford” gaze to some … Society had won … for she was comfortably numb. /Kit McCallum |
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| © Copyright 2003 Kit McCallum - All Rights Reserved | |||
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
OH my. I'm shaking my head at my horrified reaction, but then it dawned on me... I've been doing something quite similar for years, huh? But then, I could tell myself "only for a little while"... and yes, a little bit o numb is tempting, as it does block out the bad stuff--but sadly, it blocks out the good stuff too. Thank you so much for this one, Kit.  |
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Kit, I'm afraid there is no answer to the problem. I have been there myself and my only escape was fantasy. I have a beautiful Island there would you like to join me? excellent write  |
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Toerag Member Ascendant
since 1999-07-29
Posts 5622Ala bam a |
Dear Ms. Kit....ya really wrote a profound poem here gal!...I think we've all become "comfortably" numb. Many years ago, (I'm not that old, Balladeer told me about it)....it wasn't the "norm" when you heard about a killing or a rape or a riot etc.,..now, it's just an everyday occurrence....sad, isn't it. |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Stepford women; Solyent Green; Farenheit 451 - all recent topics of conversation at our house...on this very thing. Where is the world going? Who will change it? I'm as guilty as some - for not turning on the same news, night after night, and hiding my sensitivities in my books, or my writings.... Kit, you did a remarkable job with this... Brava...  |
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nakdthoughts Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200Between the Lines |
yes, yes, yes, exactly my thoughts, in your words. I can't feel the numb though, at least not yet...but I feel the doomed effect of it all. Nice writing, flowed wonderfully, hugs M |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Wonderful write Kit..and unfortunately very true. We sit there numb watching the news and nothing seems to shock us anymore. 'Tis a sad sad world we live in. Extremely well written.. and so good to see you posting with your busy schedule. ~Smiles & Hugs, Nancy~ ~Somewhere in my heart I'm always |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
If only we could give the "world" an operation to remove its maladies... and let the people continue to feel - Wouldn't that be a solution? You've found time to write - and a good'n it is, my friend... Your lessons are always priceless...  |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
Again, you speak such poetic truth. I hope we never get to this point in life. We need to feel - I've always said we can never know the beauty of the mountain top unless we've walked up through the valleys. You have a lovely, wise heart and it shows in this poem.  |
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garysgirl  
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237Florida, USA |
Kit, this is a wonderful poem. So true. I think we all may have wished at some time or another that we would just quit "feeling" so much. But then, if we didn't feel the bad things we also wouldn't feel the good things. Would we? thank you for this, Kit. It's a keeper for me, for a reminder.  Hugs  Ethel |
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vandana
since 1999-10-22
Posts 10463USA |
enjoyed  |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
With the daily onslaught of atrocities, our minds eventually shut down and we become inured to the ugliness that we are exposed to! Our brains get burned out and can no longer compute! Another wonderful write, Kit! Warm hugs, Linda |
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Larry C
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286United States |
Kit, I know they're few and far between, But they're always kind and never mean. I love the way you write them, For each is quite a gem. But if you wrote more frequently, Well, I'd be a happier man. Thank God for hope... If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again. |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
It hurt to watch, it hurt to feel the loss of innocence, A world in chronic pain with little hope for recompense; She’d lost her will, her strength to cope, she’d lost her need to “feel”, And so she sought an antidote to save her from the “real”. She craved a means within her mind to distance her from hate, Too vulnerable and sensitive to watch it escalate; No medication strong enough could block the vile decline, The final breakdown looming large, by horrid, cruel design. ==================================== As I was reading this...beyond being impressed with your meter and wisdom rhymes divine...I couldnt help but wonder what you ate before going to bed, then I realized you must of fell asleep watching the news  Goodness this is a chilling dreamscape...surreal and haunting with a vivid dose of reality. And do you know how good it is to see your smiling face here. Miss you round here me sweet gator girlie No matter what the differences |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
I always know I'm in for a treat when I see your name... I just didn't quite expect to feel so much during the read. *S* Medicines once put me firmly into the comfortably numb category... only I couldn't find comfort there... finally decided I'd rather try to live with the bad... just for the chance to know the good. *S* But now that you know my life story *G*... back to the point... this is absolutely superb, Kit. *S* |
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vlraynes Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-25
Posts 8229Somewhere... out there... |
Kit~ Just...wow...this hits more deeply than you know, and more so than I can even begin to explain. Just know that I 'felt' every word of it. Excellent, as always, my friend. Hugs to you, ~Vicky "...until you have read the verse on his heart, you have not truly met the poet. ~vlraynes [This message has been edited by vlraynes (06-20-2003 12:26 PM).] |
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Local Parasite
since 2001-11-05
Posts 2527Transylconia, Winnipeg |
I'm so glad somebody wrote a poem about this. You know, I just watched "Bowling for Columbine" a few weeks ago and this kind of thing has been on my mind lately--the desensitization, the inability to actually feel because of how devastating an effect it has on a person, and the preferential state of comfort in indifference, in learning to just be desensitized. You've described it in a terribly haunting way which is all-too-fitting, and helps the truth shine through... My only critique (yes, I have a small one) is your choice of meter... I know you love iambic heptameter, and it's normally very fitting for your style and the light-hearted themes you love to write on, but I feel it's somehow inappropriate for a poem of this tone... maybe that's just me, though, but I thought it took away a little bit from the overall impact the poem had. This kind of serious poem calls for something less melodious and more dreary, to match your content... Of course, that's just a minor detail, and I still think this poem is fantastically written and one of my favourites of yours, just because I tend to like the slightly political stuff that describes and critiques the state of humanity, the North American ideology, and the world issues in relation to the everyday world... beautiful, beautiful work, Kit... it was a pleasure to read. Brian Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world. |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
This made me so sad, because I realized I could have been the inspiration for this one. Shall we start our own "Stepford Club." Lord, when you do find the time to write it is so profound, and just so darn good. This is just too close to the truth Kit, too close. |
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Krawdad Member Elite
since 2001-01-03
Posts 2597 |
Always enjoy your work, Kit, rare as it is becoming. Hope you write more soon. Numbness? Problem is, too many rats in the cage. Numbness becomes a selection pressure for survival. We are well down that road I fear. Kraw' |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
Kit, you have obviously worked very hard on this piece of poetic art.. Sadly, I must agree with the scene displayed, so much of what we know is simply disolving before our eyes... |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
If I weren't so de-sensitized I would applaud this poem. Wait! I DO applaud this poem!! Nicely said, Kit, in the perfect form which is your trademark. There is a line we have to balance on determining what we block out and what we don't. Deviating from that line in either direction is very detrimental. Policemen have problems with this as do people in the medical field. It's easy to become unfeeling when you are surrounded by it every day. I read a poem by a young girl once that really hit me. It was just a few lines about a car accident with victims in the road and the passersby aggravated that they are being delayed. Your poem reminds me of that one.....brilliant writing, Kit |
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LeeJ Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296 |
Beautifully written, and believe we can all relate...sometimes subconsciously we all revert to a place where we cannot feel...when it hurts...and in reality...we all get through it somehow..being graced with an imortal strength and courage to climb back up on that horse again. Very astounding write. |
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QjQ Member Elite
since 2003-04-18
Posts 3756U.S.A. |
Absolutely a fabulous write of poetry,,, A voice of honesty |
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Skyfire
since 2000-12-27
Posts 3381Riding |
What can I say that everyone else hasnt? As such I will sit here quietly and try not to remember that right now I can't feel a thing... Awesome to see something you've written It is said the Creator has taken a handful of South Wind and given each newborn Arabian the power of flight without wings |
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Mistletoe Angel
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
 (big hugggsssssssss) Oh Kit, this is so very sad but true, dearest friend, let's face it, this society accepts violence, sex, and warfare, and if one would disagree, then why are we always curious to find out about the minds behind the terrorists, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, every murder that happens in your hometown? (sad sigh) It's all an inconceivable mess, and worst of all, you never see the newscasters cry when they annunciate the words! We are all sinners and at least some recognize the trouble we're in while others just sit back and watch it like another cheesy reality series! (wipes tears) God Bless You, sweet friend, you go girl, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Kit, thank you for sharing! May love and light always shine upon you! Love, Noah Eaton Underneath your clothes, there's an endless story |
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icebox Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 4383in the shadows |
This is a marvelous piece of poetry. Very skillfully crafted. You touch on the very real problem of awareness. When an individual soul fragment becomes more aware, it elevates the collective human spirit, but the individual may not have the frame of reference or skill, the time or energy, to keep a balanced perspective. It is not a weakness in the human spirit to seek this numb state; it is a last ditch survival mechanism to avoid uncontrolled insanity by substituting a type of controlled insanity. The problem however then becomes the individual's diminished ability to process information accurately; the control is fully lost and insanity in the end simply is insanity. In brief, the numbness is not selective. History is full of examples of those who had to make horrible choices because no other options existed. What is lost to history more often are the countless instances of those whose minds were plunged into their own hell because of their accurate awareness of reality. As I said, this is a marvelous piece of poetry. |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Kit...amazing and thoughtful! You write so well and always with good purpose. I have much respect for you. |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
a definite masterpiece here, as always! |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
I wish I could respond to each and everyone individually to thank you for all of these lovely comments. It's definately been a while since I've posted, and if I can find some time to sit back and relax, hopefully it won't be quite so long before the next one. Many thanks to you all, for your warm and indepth comments on this piece. I truly appreciate each of your thoughts and sentiments. With much appreciation and big hugs, /Kit |
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Artic Wind Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 8080Realm of Supernatural |
Excellent Write Kit!, Just, it is true. Society is getting worse and worse. People believe they can do anything they want. Which causes so many problems! Another great write from you Dear Kit! excellent poetic piece~ ARCTIC WIND |
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