Mark Peterson Poet Free verse

Guilt

There exists no more certain 
assassin of joy than that of
anger turned within.
Guilt’s grim scepter,
harrowed mind thus firmly wields,
and this with deft uncommon,
to bring renewed complaint
at slightest urge.
Senseless ruin whose
vapid tongue hisses
only self-derision’s name,
nobility to confound.
Slacken then this twisted cord
and in its place benign regret,
for guilt condemns the soul.

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Kelly Deschler May 5, 2016 at 1:51 PM There is so much truth in this poem, especially in those first three lines... We have to let go of anger, accept our mistakes and learn from them if we ever want to be happy... Very well written and expressed, Mark. This is a powerful piece that everyone needs to read. Mark Peterson May 5, 2016 at 10:12 PM Kelly, thanks for drilling all the way down in my list to read about guilt. Indeed, one wakes in the morning and sees that there is sunlight, so it is appropriate to conclude that we've been given another day and are expected to do something with it, rather than waste the hours feeling worthless. Now I owe you and your poetry some time.

Robert Lindley August 14, 2014 at 9:51 AM Very glad to have been notified of this superb write my friend! I identify with it ever so well. Eventually found the same answer myself. BBRAVOOO, beautiful message and write!! Mark Peterson August 22, 2015 at 9:07 AM Robert, I overlooked your kind remark upon returning to this poem to edit it for our Friday afternoon poetry group. Please read it again, as I think its a stronger, more polished write.

John Loving Iii November 22, 2013 at 1:18 PM an examiner of the self i see. nothing wrong with that i do it myself sometimes. p.s. i think you might have ment "depth" instead of "deft". Mark Peterson November 22, 2013 at 1:27 PM John: Thanks for reading my verse and offering your favored comment. By deft I mean with skillful and quick precision. Guilt targets the soul deftly, that is with great dexterity.

Just That Archaic Poet November 2, 2013 at 12:08 PM This piece really resonated with me and I identified with what you are conveying. I said it in another comment but I shall say it again for it bears repeating: you are tremendously talented, Mark :) Mark Peterson November 2, 2013 at 8:16 PM Thanks for the compliment; however, maybe I just have spasms of lucidity!

Poet Destroyer A October 31, 2013 at 8:45 PM wow, why thank yoi for reading my post Mark, It was nice you remembered about me. xool thoughts on this post again. ..luv Linda Mark Peterson November 2, 2013 at 8:15 PM I read every post and treasure them all. You're a favorite of mine and listed so.

Poet Destroyer A October 26, 2013 at 9:53 PM wow...wow! Mark,.... it's eating me alive... wow..love this one..LINDA Mark Peterson October 27, 2013 at 1:04 AM Thanks, Linda. It happened one day that I figured out that the way to deal with guilt is to allow it to transcend to regret, which is manageable while guilt is not. Mark