Hand outstretched
blocking out the sun
he dared step out
dared face the light
he dared fight back
every forward step advancing
an army, of critical probing eyes
gawking, the defeated addict
He would've gone further
had he not caught sight
of himself, in a passing window
the pathetic filthy creature
he saw, a far cry
from the a plus student
he once was, a life
all up in smoke
with every perfect circle
in the air
he learned to blow
Back in the deep shadows
he feels safe again
the shadows have accepted him
accepted his cowardice
without judgment, without reproach
stepping out was a flashback
one of many, and none to come
Stepping out never happened
Needle in arm, what good
does courage do him really
beside amplify his shame
when he can just go
with the flow in his veins
sinking high, flying low
brains dosed asunder, ravished
in his own abyss, in crevice
and dying happy
in the best living he knows
-
Author:
Garth Rakumakoe (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: June 22nd, 2023 02:48
- Comment from author about the poem: Courage and shame are mutually exclusive.
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 27
Offline)
Comments6
A hard-hitting series of observations... these lines flow so naturally, so instinctively... a stream of thoughts so intense I cannot but cry a little... I think I know him...
I am moved by your level of identifying to this one jacher, and privileged to have come this close, much so that trying to find the words of appreciating your response fails me. Please accept my humble gratitude. 🙏🏼
a courageous write
choosing, to see beyond the tabloid gimmick figure, headlines
unveiling the humanity, they forget
to include in those stat graphs
capturing, with empathy and a keenness
to not judge but understand
the plight of those ghosts
surviving in societies gutters and shadows..
forcing us readers to contemplate
what we wish to forget
shaming us, into an awareness
we can't so easily, escape...
what a way to utilise Poesy's power
to make a difference!
thank you, wise Poet
(I read and learn)
Your comments resonate so much L.B cos after all there are living souls and actual people within these stories, and aren\'t we all addicts of some thing or the other? Equally tragic about substance abuse itself is the emotion associated - For everybody involved. A resounding synopsis, good sir!
That’s a really sad writing ( some people struggle so much with certain things and then there’s the shame attached to it .. I guess some people may feel like ‘bad ‘ people ‘ worthless ‘ ‘unwanted
You express yourself well in this
Some people are judged so much aren’t they … even when they are hurting / struggling and thAt never helps . And they judge thenselves
I have mental health problems and I know that I can be critical of self sometimes .. or even feel that some others are a bit critical / even selfish towards me sometimes despite my struggles
Just wanted to say my thought in this
Thank you vb... Much much appreciated. So much truth in everything you said. 🙏🏼
it only takes one little thing to alter the course of a previously programmed life .. this is very good indeed .. and I do know what I'm talking about .. Neville
Profound and wise words, Neville. Thank you, kindly.
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