Black Scarlet (Love In the 2nd Degree)

are we crazy or just contrived 
lazy or simply self-involved? 
are we insignificant, significant 
or just like everyone else 
deranged on the outside 
swimming through dead oceans in our heads 

am i death or am i over-simplified 
is my breath as thick as the painted eye lashes 
that stick to your eyes? 
are you in love with your anemia 
or anemic to love 
breathing came so easy 
now you're lucky to get one 
mouthful 

forever in ruins or ruined to become 
pinned to pages or pinned under thumb 
like the bleeding nape of a baby 
thorough true to yourself 
under circumstance we are death-like 
only because we know we can 

the heart 
like a thick abscess of black mucus 
pumping sweet death to all who may ask 
now clogged with regret 
regret for the living 
regret for the loving 
love of anemia 
anemia of love
Copyright © | Year Posted 2007

Poem

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Foster Avatar
December 17, 2008 at 12:34 PM
Congratulations Val on your poem making through the first round. Good Luck in the next round. God's Love and Many Blessings, Always, Adell
Heck Avatar
November 30, 2008 at 7:37 AM
Val - Congratulations on your poem making Round One of the PSoup poetry contest! Wishing you all the best in the finals and have a Happy Holiday season. Peace always, John
Brown Avatar
November 12, 2008 at 4:56 AM
Congratulations on your poetry making it through the first round. Good luck in the finals. Love, Carol
Winter Avatar
November 11, 2008 at 8:23 AM
Congrats on making it through to the first round! Good luck in the finals! Love, Shar
Jordan Avatar
November 8, 2008 at 10:39 AM
Val - Congrats on your poetry making it through to the next round – Great Job & God Bless
Babcock Avatar
August 1, 2008 at 2:00 PM
Congratulations on your featured write. God Bless Phyl
Sheart Avatar
July 30, 2008 at 3:17 PM
Hi Val, nice to meet you! A awsome poetic write. Enjoyed your witty vision. Congrats on your well deserved feature write this week! Love Light Truth Patricia
Brown Avatar
July 30, 2008 at 4:16 AM
Congratulations on your well deserved poetry being featured this week Val. Love, Carol
Suzadail Jr. Avatar
July 28, 2008 at 8:25 AM
It's been a while, Val. Congratulations on this one being featured. Hope all is well. God Bless. Vince
Winter Avatar
July 28, 2008 at 5:29 AM
Your poetic play on words was right on and awesome. Amazing write. Congrats on being featured this week. Love, Shar
Jordan Avatar
July 27, 2008 at 6:38 PM
Your poem was very deep and very beautiful - interesting and intelligent - congrats on the feature
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