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A Nameless Baritone

An arthritic flesh Hesitant wipes off deteriorated lens Every exhale, Another tragic sulk unto morrow’s pit Flaunting suicidal fallacies Off-white flag motions Signaling mercy under liar’s duress Muted pride Cracking dusty knuckles Penetration’s decrepit vowel Slipping in between faulty, stamped licenses Just to belong Another back-handed waltz Bordering beggar dialects Untrue Towards paradoxical epiphanies A faceless identity Converging amongst unwelcomed hymns Tainting hallelujahs with discolored spit Worming their decapitated fingertips With equilibrium massages Back to a barricaded oasis Deciphers from a slanderous heretic Proclamation of syllabic want As arthritic flesh Scribbles out expendable nickname Manipulating good intentions to be sadistically validated From their rendered nether Nameless never inscribed a verse to call their own Struggling to swim In the rivers they cried ©Drake J. Eszes

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John Posey

Date: 9/9/2013 4:46:00 PM

Well, I've read all the comments and find myself in that George Gobel position feeling like that pair of brown shoes in a room full of tuxedos. The comments say it better than I ever could. I would have to add some sweat into that river of tears. I feel silly praising something I don't quite understand. I pick up just enough to recognize your brilliance... great respect comes from this corner.... Jake

Poet Tacito
Date: 9/9/2013 6:27:00 PM

I'd rather you just be yourself, John. :) That is greatly appreciated. I am grateful for you even taking the time.

Laura Breidenthal

Date: 9/2/2013 4:33:00 PM

Wow...I love the way you word things, and twist around things we can relate to...but at the same time, they have that twist and it makes it bizarre and extremely insightful. Your poetry is all too interesting. There's a frustration I sense throughout the poem. It doesn't fully satisfy--in the best sense, I mean.. it really makes an impact. Very thought-provoking! Always, Laura

Poet Tacito
Date: 9/2/2013 4:37:00 PM

Yes, there is definitely a bit of frustration. More for the topic matter than myself. The lines crave for completion & honesty. Thank you so much, Laura! =D

Karen Anglesey

Date: 8/24/2013 12:27:00 PM

Well, I am one of the many who had to go through this several times. At first I thought maybe you didn't care much for the opera...I see the disdain for phony people and sycophants ie..."Nameless never inscribed a verse to call their own" Interesting lines and very intense :)

Poet Tacito
Date: 8/24/2013 12:31:00 PM

Ha. Thank you. I LOVE the opera! Moreso, the symphony. ;-) But, I'm glad you took the time to understand this piece. :)

Monterey Sirak

Date: 8/24/2013 5:40:00 AM

Another incredible poem. Love the phrase 'back-handed waltz' A perfect description of life a lot of the time.

Poet Tacito
Date: 8/24/2013 7:35:00 AM

Indeed, isn't it?? That phrase was one of those things when I wrote it and read it back, it was like "where did that just come from"? Love it! Thank you so much, Monterey!

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 8/22/2013 1:22:00 PM

Great comment today on my poem. Thanks for adding your thoughts.

Poet Tacito
Date: 8/22/2013 1:33:00 PM

My pleasure. :)

Nette Onclaud

Date: 8/22/2013 10:23:00 AM

sweet hello from bali, drake.. maybe i'll get a new treat tomorrow?.. enjoy and thanks for the fun on your show!..:) huggs

Poet Tacito
Date: 8/22/2013 10:35:00 AM

Hi, Nette! Possibly, yes. :) It was a true pleasure to have you on the show.

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 8/21/2013 4:22:00 PM

Hi Drake, thanks for your visits and kind comments, hope you are having a spectacular day.

Poet Tacito
Date: 8/21/2013 5:33:00 PM

Thank you very kindly, Richard. I hope you are too. :)

Wilma Neels

Date: 8/21/2013 7:21:00 AM

In the end that validation counts for nothing if your soul is dark and no one can see light in you, but then again they draw their strength from manipulating situations and things. I love that I had to go back and read this one again.. Made me go there :) Wilma

Poet Tacito
Date: 8/21/2013 7:51:00 AM

Spot on, Wilma. I'm glad this writing took you "there". ;-) That's my goal with this writing. Thank you so very much!!!!

Nette Onclaud

Date: 8/21/2013 7:11:00 AM

a most experiential piece where sorrow and longing meet somewhere in the recesses of your heart.. yeahh, i'm in bali and can't computer much but will check you out again later.. this is a bang!..:) hugggs

Poet Tacito
Date: 8/21/2013 7:47:00 AM

Mmmhm, yup. :) Have fun in Bali!!!!!!!! =D Thank you so much, Nette!!!

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/21/2013 12:47:00 AM

I kind of got the idea of what you were meaning from the very last few lines. Sorry, Drake. My little mind just isn't geared to taking in this kind of unique imagery. But I enjoy the "feeling" of the words.

Poet Tacito
Date: 8/21/2013 7:45:00 AM

No apologies needed. What I write won't always register fully with some readers, it's ok. It certainly doesn't mean you have a "little mind". :) It's about those people who try to change on the surface, yet forget that they have to improve who they are on the inside for it to hold substance. Like, changing names, doesn't mean a thing if you're still a bad person on the inside. I hope this helps. I'm happy you stopped by!

Kabuteng P.Ink K.

Date: 8/20/2013 7:51:00 PM

There is definitely so much more into this write than what is initially read, or heard. You got my attention from your first line when you read that, replaying it in my head now... This was a poem that I re-read again to grasp it, and I like it that way, like peeling layers.. reading the comments below is also so interesting... your metaphors here are so unique and so fitting indeed! Btw, thanks for your thoughts for my country, the rains that the typhoon brought have weakened by now, our 4th day of rain but sun is shining thru a bit now, thank God, 3 days of raining buckets of cats and dogs, wow, the flooding it has caused was scary! So many affected, stranded and flooded...

Poet Tacito
Date: 8/21/2013 7:42:00 AM

Yes, that was one of the goals with this piece...to make sure people re-read this and fully grasp the inner meanings. It's all about the layers. I don't want my poetry to be THAT easily forgettable. ;-) I'm so sorry about the typhoon that hit there and all the flooding it caused. But, I'm glad to hear it's finally calming down. I'm glad you stopped by here, Nikko!

Sara Kendrick

Date: 8/20/2013 4:17:00 PM

Interesting lines penned...Enjoyed reading today..Sara

Poet Tacito
Date: 8/20/2013 4:48:00 PM

Hi & Thank you, Sara. I'm glad you did.

Donna Jones

Date: 8/20/2013 2:10:00 PM

I agree with everyone else Drake...your poems always must be read with the heart mind soul and eyes....to me....just to belong....got me.....

Poet Tacito
Date: 8/20/2013 2:33:00 PM

:) Thank you kindly, Donna. I just want to make sure it doesn't scare people away! lol

Russell Sivey

Date: 8/19/2013 8:55:00 PM

The power within your words is so vast and incredible, I truly loved reading this amazing write! I really enjoyed this line, " Towards paradoxical epiphanies" that explained a lot in that part of the poem! What a tremendous piece, Great Work!!

Poet Tacito
Date: 8/19/2013 9:28:00 PM

Thank you so very much, Russell! I tried to lay this out as well as I could. =D

Carrie Richards

Date: 8/19/2013 8:17:00 PM

Yep....you've described those who wallow in needing validation.....as if they are the very first to know of suffering....and often I find what they think is worth pity.....is their own selfish ego needing a little more pampering. It takes a poet such as yourself to wiggle around the truth with such wit and insight....no one sees their own reflection in your poem, sad to say..but it is a little of everyone of us, you have portrayed. you've nailed the lot of us! :) Love it!

Poet Tacito
Date: 8/19/2013 9:26:00 PM

Yes. Done. Sold! Nailed it, dear Carrie. LOL Well said. Thank you so so so much for getting this! I am deeply grateful. =D

Charmaine Chircop

Date: 8/19/2013 4:46:00 PM

'Struggling to swim in the rivers they cried'...No wonder they struggle in their own crocodile tears ..If they re manipulators of all that`s good intented.~Tainting halleluljahs with discolored spit..liars..faceless..hypocrits..insignificant.This poem makes me think of people who.bully and manipulate others at all cause..but in the end who laughs last laugh best.Don t know if i understood your dialect ¿ ¿ B-)

Poet Tacito
Date: 8/19/2013 5:44:00 PM

You're quite right, Charmaine. Changing a name does not change their true colors. Not establishing your true identity is the same outcome. They need heart to do that. To be real. Thank you so much!

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 8/19/2013 12:24:00 PM

- Not so easy to describe this theme Drake, but you have as always done it with grace and excellence - Have a beautiful new week dear friend. - oxox / / Anne-Lise :)

Poet Tacito
Date: 8/19/2013 1:48:00 PM

Thanks so much, Anne Lise. I do appreciate that very much!

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 8/19/2013 8:24:00 AM

I will have to come back to this one, for some reason my brain can't seem to digest the meaning of this one. I am however enjoying your book, especially enjoyed the introduction and dedications. You have a few racy ones in the book, sexy and enjoyable. Up to page 49. Curious to see what is on page 69 *lol*.

Poet Tacito
Date: 8/19/2013 8:29:00 AM

It's ok. Take your time with this one. As I wrote this, I had to place myself in the mind & personality that triggered these lines. It wasn't easy. But, I think I did it well enough. If you still have questions on it, just ask. :) As for my book, that's awesome! Yes, "racy" just to balance things out. =D And you are HILARIOUS! LOL!

Eileen Manassian

Date: 8/19/2013 7:45:00 AM

Drake, I don't have words.....You have once again expressed such a depth of feeling with your lines. Feelings that I can relate to and understand. Thank you for sharing....

Poet Tacito
Date: 8/19/2013 8:22:00 AM

Thank you, Eileen. That means a lot. :)