How Did I End Up Here?

Bars by daylight are like the undead;

The smell of rotting flesh

clings to the back of the tongue.

Abominations abound and surround.

Tiny shiny chains around your heart:

You can't save everyone.
You cant save anyone.

You cant even save yourself.

 
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S74RW4RD's picture

I like the terrifying wisdom

I like the terrifying wisdom in this poem.  I also applaud the repetition in the last three lines---it reminds me (and I cannot explain why) of the sound of the celesta at the conclusion of the third movement of Shostakovich's Fifth Symphony.  Poetry approaching music was an aspect that the great Poet, T. S. Eliot sought, and in this poem you have achieved that.


Starward

Beavis's picture

;-)

Thank you j-ninety four! Such a great compliment! I was envisioning Poe on that one. 

S74RW4RD's picture

Thank you for the reply.  I

Thank you for the reply.  I have re-read the poem, and would like to expand upon my earlier comment.  Are you familiar with the so-called "strange stories" written by Robert Aickman?  He is considered by many to be the finest writer of ghost and horror fiction in England during in the latter half of the 20th century.  Your poem reminded me very much of his tale, "Ringing The Changes," and I mean that in the most complimentary way.


Starward

Beavis's picture

;-)

Thanks and I'll have to check his works out.