Home » Poems » Carolyn Devonshire » Genius and Madness

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

Date: 9/23/2011 6:25:00 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

Date: 8/27/2010 6:24:00 AM

love the line about jim morrison

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 1/23/2010 6:46:00 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

Date: 1/9/2010 9:31:00 AM

Knock, knock

Kim Hilliker

Date: 1/2/2010 2:30:00 AM

So much truth in your poem. Thanks for sharing.

Richard Pickett

Date: 12/31/2009 5:00:00 AM

Wonderfully written...Yes there is a fine line...Razor's edge as it were...Well done Carolyn...God Bless...Taz

Robin Maughan

Date: 12/30/2009 6:56:00 AM

Wow! One of my favorites.. Every word captures you.. Great great poem! Hugs Always, Robin

Isa Mahrie

Date: 12/22/2009 7:06:00 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.

Date: 12/20/2009 2:45:00 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

Date: 12/20/2009 12:19:00 AM

Best wishes with this one Carolyn.Thank you for your welcome comments today.Rgds Brian

John Freeman

Date: 12/18/2009 8:32:00 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

Date: 12/18/2009 8:15:00 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

Date: 12/18/2009 5:38:00 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

Date: 12/18/2009 11:51:00 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

Date: 12/18/2009 3:55:00 AM

The last stanza says it all. It's like a candle burning from both ends. Great wirting Carolyn. Love, lainie

Andrew Crisci

Date: 12/18/2009 1:49:00 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

Date: 12/17/2009 11:26:00 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

Date: 12/17/2009 8:44:00 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

Date: 12/17/2009 8:09:00 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

Date: 12/17/2009 7:57:00 PM

Very nice Carolyn and there are so many more...Marty

James Marshall Goff

Date: 12/17/2009 6:59:00 PM

love the "spookiness" of this frightful poem! Carolyn! well done! my friend! jimbo

Audrey Haick

Date: 12/17/2009 5:50:00 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

Date: 12/17/2009 5:10:00 PM

Congrats on your winning poem in Lainie's contest .. well deserved win for a winning lady... blessings... luv.. "Sweetheart"

Linda-Marie Sweetheart

Date: 12/17/2009 5:00:00 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

Date: 12/17/2009 4:29:00 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