Anticipate agony/ecstasy–
as needle presses vein,
razor caresses flesh,
flame consumes rock,
liquid fills glass,
powder forms lines —
inhale inspirational incense,
pull it deep within,
relish the anguish
as pain-need-joy-desire
coalesce with bits
of heart-soul-being —
taking, giving,
changing, creating —
until a cohesion of thought,
wrenching of gut,
clearness of mind,
forms a word, an idea, a line.
Exhale —
slowly, frantically, precisely —
release the pent up poison,
freeing it onto the page,
into the world
where it may wreak havoc,
heal, horrify, humor,
patronize, please or piss off.
And…maybe…once in a while,
touch a spot deep within
one who finds it, wandering
lost and free.
Redpill – Bluepill dilemma (Photo credit: CanadianAEh)
Awakened Words 
tight images mark..and yeah..always hoping to touch that spot..
smiles…it is often like giving birth….a bit painful, a bit euphoric and sometimes needs a little kicker along the way as well…where is that epideral?…smiles….and once its out you never know how the world will react…if only they treated our babies as babies….no one ever calls a baby ugly…
This really struck home Mark especially —- And…maybe…once in a while,
touch a spot deep within one who finds it, wandering lost and free. —- This poem sort of sums up my life. Great job!
Whatever it is – let it out. I think sometimes it’s like a sickness that needs to be allowed to run it’s course. Great poem and use of metaphor.
Red pill or blue pill.. reminds me of Neo’s choice in the Matrix. I agree with Mosk, sometimes it feels like a sickness that has to be allowed to run its course too but, most poets (hope) to never recover from it.
Great write Mark.
“slowly, frantically, precisely –
release the pent up poison”
“where it may wreak havoc,
heal, horrify, humor,
patronize, please or piss off”
That about sums it up. 🙂
Yes we def have similar methods. Funny what Brian said about giving birth. My first child was work to get out the second couldn’t be held back… kinda like poems.
Really powerful writing. I especially love the final stanza.
Each little sharp metaphor more cutting than the last here–writing so often is bleeding the words on the page at times, others the wild high of knowing it’s all coming right, and finally the search and hope at the end–I think you nailed it, Mark.
I always try to touch the reader in someway with my words… whether it pisses them off or inspires them. hehe
Great poem!
Ooooh! I like this very much – so clever and I very much agree. We never know whether or who our words might touch when they “wander”… And heaven knows, mine wander all over the place…!
I’ll take both pills please, this is wonderful!
Sehr, sehr groovy- while I dug the piece all the way through- I loved:
“inhale inspirational incense,
pull it deep within,
relish the anguish
as pain-need-joy-desire
coalesce with bits
of heart-soul-being –”
that was uber groovy. Peace.
Bringing us to that place where we can find ourselves, if only momentarily, that is what poetry does, rightly strongly said here. I love that notion of catharsis that you describe so well, as it brings us also closer to ourselves, that healing moment you speak of. And, of course, there is the tension between reality and illusion, the red or blue pill. Tightly written.
Writing poetry definitely is addictive to us poets… Great metaphor!
Tight metaphors here. Poetry is an addiction taken to a higher power when added to writing on screen and being able to “instantly” publish. I love the turn at the center – once you’ve taken the plunge, the writing of the poem takes you on the real trip. Very trippy poem…and tres cool, man.
Powerful imagery and interesting questions posed as to the roots of writing
Your opening metaphor almost made me stop reading – the idea of vaunting the power of drugs to enhance creativity is abhorrent – but I’m glad I carried on to the end, because you have written a wonderful paeon to poetic writing
No, definitely not promoting drug use of any kind. Just making the comparison of writing to addiction.
I paused here –
“until a cohesion of thought,
wrenching of gut,
clearness of mind,
forms a word, an idea, a line.”
– the apex! The moment most desired – the revelation that calls the lines into existence. What the poet desires most of all.
Outstanding!
Yes… Did touch (in) me…
Nicely expressed!!!
extreme journey
“until a cohesion of thought,
wrenching of gut,
clearness of mind,
forms a word, an idea, a line.
Beautiful!
Finding the right medicine for the spirit can be a struggle! That struggle is beautifully described in this poem!