Mark Massey | + Follow Poet |
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Bad Writing

I press keys in a language I’ve borrowed.
I did not create its letters nor learn 
them on my own - or birth the ink 
that stains this page.

I did not mill the paper I blot,
only coarsely abuse it; waste it.
Even the silence between my
sentences is mere blanks in thought.

My metaphors hang limp,
too tired to skew meaning.
Nothing I write lives longer
than the screen’s glow.

I did not seek this craving to write…
it’s just there, with a voice
swimming in a sea of better ones
- and I’m drowning.


Hmm.

Copyright © Mark Massey | Year Posted 2025

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Jan Allison Date: 5/22/2025 2:15:00 PM Bad writing hmmm - I guess I am guilty but i have learned so so much since I joined soup but who are we to judge and express our opinions on others. I've been mocked for my style but I wont drown in a sea of tears - write on Mark! hugs Jan xx Login to Reply Mark Massey Date: 5/22/2025 3:59:00 PM Write On, Jan…BTW, I love your stuff and have one of your books. It has its righteous place in the “Main Bathroom”. You know someone’s reading it when you hear them bust out laughing while doing their business. Thanks

Lin Lane Date: 5/22/2025 7:52:00 AM You're not drowning, Mark. If you were, I'd jump in after you. What you write lives longer than the glow on any screen. I'm not just referring to your poetry, but your comments as well. During your Marathon I was given so many kind compliments by you that I'll never forget them. That is better than a win in any contest. We're all just a voice, swimming in a sea of other voices. Some swim better than others, and a few who scream the loudest don't contribute anything but negativity. A shame. Login to Reply Mark Massey Date: 5/22/2025 8:02:00 AM Lin, I retired a couple of weeks ago and I’m finding more time to be on PS. I have lots of stuff I’ve never posted and will be doing so little by little. And for certain, I’m getting the feeling that you are going to be lots of fun…thanks for the visit. I will be stopping by your page shortly, so you”ll be hearing from me.