Cul-De-Sac

the good

The doors to my mind and heart
circle as revolving doors.
A peek inside and you see
happy memories and joyous events,
the loves, and lifelong friendships

A cul-de-sac, though a dead end,
has a circular finish, a merry-go-round
that accumulates happiness as it spins
into a cloud of beauty and nature,
compassion, gods, and faith.

The breathless moments in life,
birth, newness, novelty, exuberance
in being, living, experiencing
laughter, butterflies, and springtime
within my soul, my gratitude.

	the bad

The doors to my mind and heart
circle as revolving doors.
A peek inside and you see
the pocks of the years that came 
to leave their soured, sadistic truths.

So, like a cul-de-sac you may enter
but the exit is the same as you came.
A Ferris wheel, past the highs and lows
of lost hopes, of murky dreams that end
with more questions than I will answer…

A dead end with death as the prize
for endless dreary days and noxious nights
of sorrow, sadness, misery, and grief
with no hope, no desire, no ambition
faith gone and forgone, abortive.

	the ugly

The doors to my mind and heart
circle as revolving doors.
A peek inside and you see
the sear of anger and revenge
spiraling apocalyptically.

The cul-de-sac where giant wind turbines
turn and churn and gnaw at my insides
generating incompressible turbulence 
that amasses until it ruptures, spewing
rage and outrage that I will honor…

In and out, inescapable, dead
like my heart, my soul black as coal,
seeking retribution for perceived
wrongs against me, ill-timed and
sanguinary persecution.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

Poem

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Ibeh Avatar
March 6, 2023 at 7:33 AM
Congratulations on your first place win with this brilliant poem, Linda:-) I loved it!
Fowler Avatar
March 6, 2023 at 8:01 AM
Many thanks Edward. I am honored and pleased that you liked it! :)
Pandit Avatar
March 4, 2023 at 6:34 AM
BIG congrats on your first place, Linda. A superb poem--attuned to the chosen theme.
Fowler Avatar
March 4, 2023 at 6:39 AM
Hello my friend Vijay. Thank you for your heartening words this day. :)
Rose  Avatar
March 3, 2023 at 3:26 PM
You describe that revolving door so well my friend, well written piece of poetry, deserving of 1st place, congrats on your win Linda xo
Fowler Avatar
March 4, 2023 at 6:37 AM
Thank you Vie. I'm always warmed by your sweet words. :)
Volumes Avatar
March 3, 2023 at 2:17 PM
Look whose talking, yes you are! I will be in the audience when you accept the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry. (Congrats).
Fowler Avatar
March 4, 2023 at 6:36 AM
Hey Wendy. I accept with humbleness and gratitude for my supportive friends! LOL
Kauffman Avatar
March 3, 2023 at 10:08 AM
What wonderful imagery Linda! It truly carries your story. And, I love the way you set up the poem with your stanzas illustrating each overarching theme. Congratulations and high fives for your win! Blessings!
Fowler Avatar
March 4, 2023 at 6:35 AM
Hi dear Sam. So many facets to the heart, compartments of stashed emotions. I chose broad categories for this one. Thank you for the positivity and congrats! :)
Poet Avatar
March 3, 2023 at 8:48 AM
Linda, It's no surprise that Edward chose this poem to reflect the very best of the contest; my sincerest congratulations go out to you on your well-deserved win.
Fowler Avatar
March 4, 2023 at 6:33 AM
Hello Lasaad - thank you for the encouraging congrats! :)
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