pounding
pulsating
pressure
pumping profusely
each belligerent beat
bleeding out
the fierce flow
forcing me
upward
its warm inside
wet,
i reach
grab
find a cord,
a stem,
to pull myself up
out
of
t
h
e
tremors,
terror gripping tightly,
voices of laughter echo
but I can’t find the joke
the humor is lost
on me
i
climb
h
i
g
h
e
r
up into labyrinthine corridors,
the grayness matters
less than its
components:
all colors
mixed with
the absence of all color
the voices
paired with
incandescent images
humiliating and horrifying,
numerical problems propagating
swirling
2 x 5 =
4 + 4 = 124/2=
(6+7)*4/2=
like a twister.
the adrenaline twitches me.
i squirm and climb
upward
to
t
h
e
light.
the problems follow,
the answers elude.
I reach the peak
and lift my
weight
over
the e
d
g
e .
the light ahead calls
and I cannot resist it,
though i also
don't
want
to
see,
for I know what awaits.
the closer it draws,
the orbs growing over me
as i pass through the white
institutional
i now know the source
of the disembodied voices
laughing;
though,
now that i can see
through my own eyes,
the voices are embodied
by my peers,
by supposed friends
by my teachers.
the joke has been found.
I am the clown
everyone
laughs
at.
© 2025 Tristan Robert Lange. All rights reserved.
-
Author:
Tristan Robert Lange (
Offline) - Published: May 6th, 2025 06:24
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 44
- Users favorite of this poem: Damaso, NinjaGirl, Poetic Licence, Cheeky Missy, Teddy.15
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Comments11
Sometimes being the centre of attention is a very awkward thing🙏🏻🕊️
Especially when it is forced on you in a classroom setting. Indeed. Thank you so much for your time and thoughts, my friend. 🧠🎭🌀🙏
Oh I remember those days! Most welcome 🙏🏻🕊
Reminiscent of a birth from the womb. This existential birth into a surreal world of observers with no understanding and no empathy where born naked one is who they are totally naive and ignorant in a new world. As for the clown others may laugh but they are the fools. A striking poem that forms thoughts in figures, numbers, shapes or lettering new to the eye. Most creative my friend.
Thank you, Soren. For your time, your analysis, understanding and appreciation. Always valued and most appreciated, my friend. 🧠🎭🌀🙏
Excellent write Tristan
Thank you, my friend! 🧠🎭🌀🙏
You're welcome
Could sound like an adventure of a certain Obi.... yes? LOL.
Sure. Probably the start of all his...erm...problems. 🤣🧠🎭🌀🙏
Superb work. Excellent flow.
Thank you so much, Thomas. Much appreciated! 🧠🎭🌀🙏
A whole new meaning to class clown...maybe I was never laughed at but I certainly was made to feel stupid in school!
Yeah. This, unfortunately comes from my memory, for sure. School was a cruel, cold place...and I was made to feel stupid too. It took me a long time to realize I'm not. Thank you so much, my friend, for your time and astute understanding of the poem and the emotions involved. 🧠🎭🌀🙏
The school system failed so many kids...so many of us.
For sure! 💯
Vivid and impactful imagery with palpable emotional depth. Well done!!!
Thank you, dear Salvia! Your time and analysis are always anticipated and appreciated. 🧠🎭🌀🙏
A very creative way of touching a very serious subject, relatable in so many ways, wonderful write
Thank you, Tobani. I am really glad you came on in time for this one as I know you understand. Your presence, time, analysis, and support are so very much appreciated. Enjoy your evening, my friend! 🖤🧠🎭🌀🙏
Thank you and you too
La dee! Were we, every last one of us, clowns in our various circles before finally being shown as artists and poets/poetesses? There's so much in this pretty number which resonates and seems to reverberate as if--? Gorgeously rendered with excellent imagery, fascinating effects, and a charming though painful poignancy. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much, my friend. I am sorry for your pain, too, but it seems it produced something rather wonderous in us, didn't it? Your time, your understanding analysis and your friendship are most valued! 🧠🎭🌀🙏
Incredibly brilliant and sad your last lines, so very relatable dear Tristan, love the way you have layed it out too. Kudos 🌹
Thank you, dear poet and friend! Sad it is relatable and, yet, glad we are not alone. Thank you for your time, thoughts and appreciation! 🧠🎭🌀🙏
sometimes it is embarrassing to be the centre of such attention, especially when surrounded by unsympathetic people who can neither understand nor give the support one seeks
the tension is palpable, and the poem beautifully written
Indeed. 💯 Thank you so much, my friend. Much appreciated! 🧠🎭🌀🙏
always welcome - have a beautiful weekend
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