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Open Poetry #49
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Michael
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Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California

0 posted 2014-09-18 12:38 PM



Of Comedy and Tragedy


I watched you there, upon the stage, as laughter filled the room.
A puppet of this brighter age, where none could read such gloom.
That emptiness would always stir that need to be accepted.
Not knowing you already were, feeling so disconnected.

It wasn’t you working the strings, in that maddening fashion.
But the feeling a smile brings when derived of such passion.
What you, yourself, could never know, yet gave others unmeasured…
A mirth that sets faces aglow, and moments to be treasured.

It filled the void you felt within, if done behind a mask.
But if you drew a cackle then, it always seemed worth the task.
But as the fleeting moments passed—as all eyes turned away,
Darkness would creep upon you fast, and draw your soul to weigh.

The measure not quite sufficient, you felt the laughs declining.
As if somehow now deficient, this to be self-defining.
The mask no one could give to you, one of hope for the morrow,
You gave us comedy, it’s true, but left us with such sorrow.

Some called you coward in the end; my God, they just cannot know
The grief that drove you to your end—how it never let you go.
You were a hero in most eyes, truthfully always will be.
The tragedy, I realize; it’s something you couldn’t see.

For: Robin Williams


Michael Anderson

9/17/2014

© Copyright 2014 Michael Anderson - All Rights Reserved
latearrival
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since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499
Florida
1 posted 2014-09-18 01:34 AM


Michael very good. Robin Williams will forever be remembered.jo
Lori Grosser Rhoden
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since 2009-10-10
Posts 10202
Fair to middlin' of nowhere
2 posted 2014-09-18 07:01 AM


I'd like to think there are more than a few of us out there that understand how this could have happened.  People can struggle for decades with it just at their fingertips and then battle fatigue sets in and they surrender. Your tribute to Robin warmed my heart. I will miss him.

Lori

suthern
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since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
3 posted 2014-09-18 08:24 AM


Some called you coward in the end; my God, they just cannot know
The grief that drove you to your end—how it never let you go.

My friend, you brought tears to my eyes this morning... but then, I think it will be a long time before I can think of him without tears flowing. And perhaps the lines above explain why losing him hurts so much - intimate knowledge of that grief and how it clouds the brightest day and smothers hope.

Thank you for this beautiful tribute... it's going into my library.

JerryPat2
Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975
South Louisiana
4 posted 2014-09-18 08:33 AM


I believe that the majority have these demons which persist and persist until, for some, there is a breaking point and they take the necessary steps to find peace. This was a fine eulogy for the master of comedy.

~*~ If they give you ruled paper write sideways. ~*~

BluesSerenade
Member Patricius
since 2001-10-23
Posts 10549
By the Seaside
5 posted 2014-09-27 09:02 PM


Brava sir..such a touching tribute!!!
I loved that man... he brought so much joy to the world...
and yet so unhappy in his own skin. May he forever rest in peace that so eluded him.

Gale
Senior Member
since 2013-06-10
Posts 578
Russia
6 posted 2014-09-28 06:04 AM


Truly said:
"You gave us comedy, it’s true, but left us with such sorrow".

Nan
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since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
7 posted 2014-09-28 08:25 AM


Indeed - You've said with exquisite compassion, Mike.  Well done as always
Elizabeth
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since 1999-06-07
Posts 6871
Minnesota
8 posted 2016-09-01 01:23 AM


I wouldn't wish depression on anyone. So well said Michael, and such compassion in your words here. A very late reply but I wasn't here when you posted this....so here it is now.
Redstart
Senior Member
since 2014-05-16
Posts 535

9 posted 2016-09-03 05:55 PM


A tribute in empathy. It seems crass to say that it was so well written. I try to understand.
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