I write poetry because [language]

Post by **bugo** » January 19th, 2015, 3:31 am

I believe in optimism
I believe that there is joy in fighting hopeless battles

And the link between postmodern nihilism and Christianity
and every religion with a doctrine of Hell
is a dreadful unsubstantiated pessimism.

Because I can’t love a philosophy that denies my soul,
nor a God who damns my friends.

Because I live in a 40 year old $400 a month apartment
and I’m “in the 1%” and I know it.
And all those spoiled f--- living out of tents on Wallstreet,
whining about the inequity of Capitalism,
know they are too.

Because no matter how hard I try
to be modern and progressive,
I can’t tell any difference
between hiring a hitman to kill a neighbor,
a soldier to kill a foreigner,
and a doctor to kill an unborn child.

Because I believe euphonic verses
can conquer violence in man’s heart
and one day we’ll put away our knives and guns and bombs and vaccuum cleaners
and our frighteningly pessimistic Scriptures
And our neomalthusian pseudoscientific antihuman propagandist bull s-----.

I write poetry because the meaninglessness of existence
is not an excuse for giving up.
It’s a call to arms.

Post by **Skywalker07** » January 19th, 2015, 11:00 am

Deep. Your lines invites all of us to reflect on our lives, beliefs and environment.

Post by **everhopeful** » January 23rd, 2015, 2:15 pm

Normally when I comment on poems in this board I try to avoid analysing the poet's beliefs - it's each to their own as far as I'm concerned - yet this poem offers so much I can understand, empathise and agree with that it's hard for me to not comment the message as much as the technique behind it. You write of a void of belief, in the sense that the most common belief systems create a hole for people to fall in when they don't subscribe to it in its entirety, and that is something which really hits home for me.
Admirably you saved the best until last; not just the justification for writing, but the justification for trying to live.

Post by **Christopher11** » January 24th, 2015, 9:47 am

It's unfortunate that the world is quickly filling with cold self-centered money hungry hypocrites. I see them, lost in their wildest dreams, too busy to lend a hand, too occupied to look you in the eye, I don't even know if they cry! I'm sure there is still plenty of good out there, maybe it's just getting harder to find.
David

Post by **Namyh** » January 24th, 2015, 1:45 pm

bugo - Intriguing concept indeed and I like the passion behind your words. However, if I'm 'called to arms' to fight against a 'meaningless extence', then it must mean that the existence itself is not meaningless but has some perceived value worth fighting for, especially in the midst of those ruthless money grabbing hypocrites who want it too. What a battle! Okay, I got my helmet and new combat boots on! I'm ready! Namyh

Post by **JASON** » January 27th, 2015, 3:04 am

Your 3rd last stanza is remarkable - murder is murder - isn't it?
no matter how we sugarcoat it...
an interesting take on life - congratulations on the spotlight.

Post by **rupertpupkin** » January 27th, 2015, 3:07 pm

Congrats on a most deserving spotlight. Very hard hitting piece.

Post by **Dew** » January 28th, 2015, 8:43 am

Marvelous. A perfect pick for the spotlight. You have touched the heart of the matter: hypocrisy is not a political, social, or cultural leaning...from Nero to Nazism, hypocrisy is a FACT of our humanity that NO ONE escapes their whole life. In a world of splinter-pluckers, planks abound! Why is it so easy to flip through history books and news blogs and say 'hypocrites, hypocrites, hypocrites', but never see the analogy we live daily???? I felt every beat...and CONGRATS on the spot!!! - dew

Post by **everhopeful** » January 29th, 2015, 11:32 am

I like poetry with a bit of bite to it, and this one certainly delivers! Each time I've read it I've been drawn to something different, and the idea of being in the top 1% of the world is often thrown at those who want the world to be a better place, as though our relative good fortune should mean we ignore the other 99%.
A really inspiring piece, congratulations on the spotlight!

Post by **LorettaYoung** » January 29th, 2015, 4:23 pm

I can relate to your last stanza, your optimism, that writing is a form of not giving up to pain. The world, I believe, ins short s.... s bigtime, in many different philosophies and subjects, Your verses are euphonic and that is a call to arms. Well done and congratulations. Loretta

Post by **Baywriter** » January 30th, 2015, 3:57 pm

This was a strong poem with a powerful voice behind it. I like that, though the tone seems both angry and impassioned, the overall message of the poem is meant to inspire hope. Rather than giving up, the speaker is encouraging us to fight back. This is a "call to arms." (Good last line.) Really thought-provoking work! Congrats on your spotlight!

Bay

Post by **bugo** » January 31st, 2015, 1:41 am

Thanks for the kind words everyone.

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