On The Brink

"It’s only on the brink that people find the will to change. Only at the precipice do we evolve." - John Cleese

Walden Pond

sweet, tasty potion

bitter, sour drink

uncertain nod

absolute wink

everything i thought i knew

everything i think

answers blue

questions pink

pretentious in leather

gawdy in mink

bathed in cologne

washed in my own lying stink

twisted in a knot

freed in a kink

bathroom scale or kitchen sink

when death was arrested and my life began

innocent boy

accused man

dragging crosses

hoisting heavy truth

unwelcomed and uncouth

last vision

first blink

nights damp with lies

days dried in tattooed ink

here

confounded

surrounded

dumbfounded

forged chain

missing link

laughing and crying

living and dying

staying and praying

flying and lying

sighing and crying

trying

mortifying

edifying

on the brink

Author's Note

"My life is like a stroll upon the beach, as near to the ocean's edge as I can go." - Thoreau

"For an impenetrable shield, stand inside yourself." - Thoreau

Reviews

[barleygirl]

I agree that we have to be pushed to the brink before we make changes that are obviously needed. Climate change comes to mind. People with lung cancer who stop smoking. On & on, kinda like your poem goes on & on (in a very enjoyable way) plus also kinda descending into more frenzied expressions that feel a little more & more out there & possibly more harsh, as your poem goes along. As if resembling the sensations of being pushed to the brink (((HUGS)))

[Pete]

was trying to capture the feeling of being pushed to the edge. we human's can be an undisciplined lot until we are forced not to be. saw in the news the other night that california has lost a lot of sequoias to fire - ouch ... :)

[barleygirl]

Despite the overly dramatic stuff you see on the news, firefighter are very skilled at saving the important stuff. They've wrapped the trees, which are naturally fire-resistant. I don't think it's anywhere near as bad as they paint it.

[Fran Marie]

This reads fast with a rhythmic
beat rhyme ..like slam poetry
read out loud on mic..nice

[Pete]

thanks fran. was just listening to blondie rapture and heart of glass ... :)

[Fran Marie]

you 're welcome
love Blondie...great singer