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The Hangover

“The death lasts an average of 49 days, starting from the day the deceased realized his death”. Bardo Thodol (The Tibetan Book of the Dead) I beg you, death, pour me the final sip of your elixir of the dreamless sleep. Oh, strongest wine of darkness in the glass I’ve dipped my lips just seven weeks ago, which bitter sweetness promised to bestow upon me an oblivion. Alas, the everlasting boozer comes around. He’s mortal as of now, he is bound to see another one anemic dawn of consciousness among the smoking ruins of non-existence. Curse you all, the brewings and the distilleries of death! The morn of a new life is painful. The hangover, the nausea, the ache - that's all what's left of my sweet void. Oh, the internal heft of being!.. The phlox, the marigold, the clover on my fresh grave are still in bloom but I am born again to suffer and to die.

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Robertina B.

Date: 7/3/2019 1:15:00 PM

You penned an extraordinary write, Kurt.. So profound and deep.. Your masterpiece is a fav for me.. We don't die!! Just the body dies.. We just shift into different levels of conciousness.. Living non physical or physical.. Incarnating back to Earth, using a physical body as a vehicle is always a possibility . I mean we have all of eternity to experience the different realms..

Kurt Ravidas
Date: 7/3/2019 4:19:00 PM

You're right, R.B., eternity. That is the problem.

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 6/29/2019 12:57:00 PM

Wow Kurt, I have that book and have walked that frightening journey. You are so adept at expressing many subjects that pique my interest. This poem is exceptional my friend, and is going into my Faves! : ) xxoo

Kurt Ravidas
Date: 7/3/2019 4:27:00 PM

Thanks, Connie. Rays of love)

Robert Lindley

Date: 6/27/2019 11:35:00 AM

Strikingly deep, wondrously conceived is this fantastic creation from your poetic pen my friend.... Although dark, its beauty is in its immense depths, philosophy and visualization when read my friend. A fav, a true gem as well...

Kurt Ravidas
Date: 6/27/2019 2:07:00 PM

Thank you very much. A gem is bowing to you, dear Robert)

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 6/26/2019 7:43:00 AM

An impressive piece of writing. I can see you are a philosopher. The word is in great need of spiritual ponderers.

Kurt Ravidas
Date: 6/26/2019 2:44:00 PM

Thank you, Richard. The philosopher glads to see you in a here)

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 6/25/2019 11:09:00 AM

very dark and very interesting. I don't know anything about the Book of dead you cited, but this is sure great writing, Kurt!

Kurt Ravidas
Date: 6/26/2019 2:43:00 PM

Thanks, Andrea.

Gershon Wolf

Date: 6/23/2019 3:55:00 PM

Thought-provoking poem (as usual, for you). Kabbala/Jewish mysticism holds that there are 49 levels of impurity... if one can purify himself past all these levels, he is pure/free/face-to-face with the Deity... By the way, that 50th level is the level of understanding that one understands nothing, naked before the Creator...Also there is the 'gilgul'/rolling of bones/souls, which can be understood as reincarnation/a second chance for the soul to achieve holiness in this world. Deep stuff! ~ gw

Gershon Wolf
Date: 6/27/2019 6:16:00 PM

Yeah, you're right. Kabbalah is sterile in translation, like Madonna, who is soooo deeply into Kabbalah. What a joke that is. Anyway, with this 'Hangover,' I see that you've put yourself in a 'grave situation.' Here's to your resurrection. (Poets, as well as saints, qualify). ~ gw

Kurt Ravidas
Date: 6/23/2019 4:29:00 PM

Deep comment, Wolf. There was a time I was looking into Kabbalah, but, alas, there is nothing to do there without Hebrew. But that's okay, may be in the next life)

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 6/23/2019 2:39:00 PM

You hit us first with a jarring quote! Indeed a dark, dark poem with a blooming grave, ever graver!

Kurt Ravidas
Date: 6/23/2019 3:06:00 PM

Thank you, Kim. Rays of love)

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 6/23/2019 3:25:00 AM

I believe in reincarnation and the possibility there were six chapters in the Bible about it once upon a time, but they were discarded, by those who wanted people to repent and stay within the boundaries of the editor's ideas of what their boundaries should be. "but I am born again to suffer and to die." Thus this line made absolute sense to this sinner!

Kurt Ravidas
Date: 6/23/2019 6:58:00 AM

Yeah, the Second Council of Constantinople that condemned Origenes, Pythagoras, Plato etc. But, as Buddha said: "This is not a matter of faith, but a matter of practice")

Susan Ashley

Date: 6/22/2019 10:46:00 PM

Your potent pen strikes with dramatic fashion in the depth and breadth of this dark beauty, Kurt. You dazzle me with the power of your emotional expression. A stunning fav! Warmest wishes always, my friend.. ~Susan

Kurt Ravidas
Date: 6/23/2019 6:46:00 AM

Thank you, Susan. Very glad to see you)