Carolyn Devonshire Poet Free verse

Genius and Madness

Thin line of perception between genius and mania
Monsters in misunderstood minds
More fearsome than Transylvania's elite

Rebellious Van Gogh’s indignation
Self portrait of passion wedded with lunacy
Artist’s perplexing break from reality

Edgar Allen Poe's addicted brain
Dark-natured creator of horror, suspense
Played mind games unprepared to lose

Suicidal tendencies' unfortunate genes
From grandfather Ernest to Margaux Hemingway
Key West writer plagued by instability

Jim Morrison rode on a storm to death
Drowned by drugs, setting sanity afire
Icon loved two times more when he left

Revered, young president’s enigmatic mistress
Irony in her last film “The Misfits”
Marilyn remembered most as a temptress

Creativity's oft' inevitable fee
Extraordinary spirits pass untimely through heaven's gate
Covet such genius?  Think twice

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Nancy Jones September 23, 2011 at 6:25 PM Many mentioned are among my long, long list of faves... thanks for pointing me this direction, Carolyn... this is one of the first fine lines I ever became conscious of. Beauty day, Namaste~N

Anthony Beesley August 27, 2010 at 6:24 AM love the line about jim morrison

Andrea Dietrich January 23, 2010 at 6:46 PM Well,I don't think I will ever have to worry about ever going mad. Either for my happy nature or for my inability to reach the glorious heights of genius! hahaha. Anyway, yes, this is often true that true artists suffer for their art, but I doubt Stephen King does. He is humming on the way to the bank! All that aside, this is very good writing AND thinking, Carolyn.I am glad I caught it here tonight and good luck in that contest! LUv, andrea

Michael Harman January 9, 2010 at 9:31 AM Knock, knock

Kim Hilliker January 2, 2010 at 2:30 AM So much truth in your poem. Thanks for sharing.

Richard Pickett December 31, 2009 at 5:00 AM Wonderfully written...Yes there is a fine line...Razor's edge as it were...Well done Carolyn...God Bless...Taz

Robin Maughan December 30, 2009 at 6:56 AM Wow! One of my favorites.. Every word captures you.. Great great poem! Hugs Always, Robin

Isa Mahrie December 22, 2009 at 7:06 AM God Carolyn for the first time in all beutiful poem in Soup, you made me speechless ! .. man this even my comment would not be enough .... this is one of my favorite poem in and out Soup .... All verse are great .... second verse not many know about van ..... have a great holiday you deserve it :)

Kabuteng P.Ink K. December 20, 2009 at 2:45 AM A very intriguing write you have here, Carolyn, it's eerie in its own right and you set the tone perfectly--Wish you best in Constance's contest :) Have a fun weekend

Brian Strand December 20, 2009 at 12:19 AM Best wishes with this one Carolyn.Thank you for your welcome comments today.Rgds Brian

John Freeman December 18, 2009 at 8:32 PM This is the very good reason we need to make sure our poetry is inspired from our hearts of Love. Excellent write Carolyn, one very much needed to expose the hazards of living from the mind. A good depth of perception in spiritual maturity. Judgment from our minds is not good, but deceptive. Sincerely, Love, Moses

John Freeman December 18, 2009 at 8:15 PM Defiant thin line between genius and mania, for deranged souls of the decease, can lodge within the minds of the living. Not all poetry is from the heart of the poet, himself, but can be from the mind of a deranged soul lodged in the poet's mind. This is like the posession that the bible speaks of in the account of "The Madman of the Gadarenes"(Mark 5:1-20). These lost souls can manifest as all sorts of disorders in the human being. From the mind.

Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen December 18, 2009 at 5:38 PM Hi Carolyn, I can't believe that I forgot to comment on this poem after reading it. I think it is a great poem. The plague of genius has historically shown that a self-destructive force is all too often involved in musical and visual artists ... and sometimes wins. (Van Gogh, Jackson Pollock, Elvis Presley, and the list goes on... either suicide or substance abuse. Sadly, their fame increases with death. My love to you. Lovingly, Dane Ann

John Loving Iii December 18, 2009 at 11:51 AM you forgot Tesla, thomas edisons nemisis. the mind is a mystery thats hard to figure out. but i know that here on earth these mysteries come unlocked by just the few we call gifted. who were able to escape the barriers of impossibility with the power of the mind. they should give everyone smoking pot a pen and a pad just to see the results. great subject. john h loving iii

Elaine George December 18, 2009 at 3:55 AM The last stanza says it all. It's like a candle burning from both ends. Great wirting Carolyn. Love, lainie

Andrew Crisci December 18, 2009 at 1:49 AM Hi, Carolyn. It's so true that many geniuses can be prone to madness. Misery, loneliness, lack of faith, use of substance and alcohol can cause death...but it doesn't have to be so. Creativity shouldn't carry a high price, besides fame and fortune. To have this gift is a blessing, and those who use unwisely will surely cause them much sorrow or even death. Congratulations on your win in Deborah Guzzi contest. Love, hugs and cheers, Andrew.

David Byrne December 17, 2009 at 11:26 PM Well we cant say that we havent been warned! Very good and informative as well and thanks for your supportive comments on my poems; flattery is something I respond to eagerly.........smile!

Caroline Cécile Delacroix December 17, 2009 at 8:44 PM This is very true, Carolyn and scary indeed. By the way these artists all suffered intensely in their relationships too. Good luck on the contest. Thank you very much for your comments on "Claim my heart" and of course, I am happy if "Planted on my mind" helps your friend. That is most inspiring for me to hear. Thanks again. Love and blessings, Caroline.

Ronald Bingham December 17, 2009 at 8:09 PM Definitely a tightrope walk, without a net. You sure nailed this in a Stephen King macabre sort of way. Boy I sure am glad I'm kind of in the middle of the road in this walk of life. God Bless and Happy Holidays. Hope the spirit of the season finds you well. Ron

Marty Owens December 17, 2009 at 7:57 PM Very nice Carolyn and there are so many more...Marty

James Marshall Goff December 17, 2009 at 6:59 PM love the "spookiness" of this frightful poem! Carolyn! well done! my friend! jimbo

Audrey Haick December 17, 2009 at 5:50 PM Your thought-provoking, insightful poem is excellent, Carolyn! Deep indeed! Good luck in Constance's Contest! This is a winner in my book! Thank you so much for your kind comments! Peace and love, Audrey

Linda-Marie Sweetheart December 17, 2009 at 5:10 PM Congrats on your winning poem in Lainie's contest .. well deserved win for a winning lady... blessings... luv.. "Sweetheart"

Linda-Marie Sweetheart December 17, 2009 at 5:00 PM Good luck in Constance's contest... this is an excellent write... u have covered every sphere with passion to relate... enjoyed much Carolyn... still holding tummy... must be a battle royale going on... blessings.. luv... and many thankxxx for your beautiful comments on my poetry postings today... Linda-Marie "Sweetheart" of Poetry Soup..

Sara Kendrick December 17, 2009 at 4:29 PM There seems to be a relationship to being gifted in some areas and to melancholie. Hemmingway had something called Bronze Diabetes. It was a genetic abnormality that at that time caused insanity because their was no treatment . It was something that caused the blood to get too rich with iron. Keep the creative and magical pen flowing. Sara

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