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.

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Kelly Deschler

Date: 5/5/2016 1:51:00 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
Date: 5/5/2016 10:12:00 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

Date: 8/14/2014 9:51:00 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
Date: 8/22/2015 9:07:00 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

Date: 11/22/2013 1:18:00 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
Date: 11/22/2013 1:27:00 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

Date: 11/2/2013 12:08:00 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
Date: 11/2/2013 8:16:00 PM

Thanks for the compliment; however, maybe I just have spasms of lucidity!

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 10/31/2013 8:45:00 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
Date: 11/2/2013 8:15:00 PM

I read every post and treasure them all. You're a favorite of mine and listed so.

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 10/26/2013 9:53:00 PM

wow...wow! Mark,.... it's eating me alive... wow..love this one..LINDA

Mark Peterson
Date: 10/27/2013 1:04:00 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