Jim Tomcatx Poet Prose Poetry

I Almost Wrote a Poem

“I need you
and dream of you
while I try to
drink you away”

I almost wrote a poem
that began like this
(many years ago)
to express my 
unrequited infatuation
for a certain 
beguiling & baffling
woman.

I almost wrote a poem
that rambled on 
unpoetically about
all the tormented 
feelings & dark ideas
that poisoned 
my already warped mind.

But instead—
I drowned my sorrows
and dragged my
sorrowful sardonic self 
through lowly jobs & lofty ideas
like a Kafkaesque Sisyphus
 
--and eructed corrosive prose
parodying frenemies
as friends became enemies
and I found myself
submerged in a private
cold war with the world
(during the Cold War)
in the torrid, torpid
River City where
the alienated artisans
ate their own.

Maybe someday
in the distant future (2020s?)
if I’m still around
if the world is still around…
I’ll actually write 
this forgettable poem
and wish I hadn’t.

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Gary Radice October 3, 2021 at 1:26 AM This Brit read your poem a few times Nick. There are so many layers you present here and that's before the Greek mythology. Richmond, Virginia(??) could have been anywhere I guess. I don't pretend to understand it all but I found its structure and content made for a fascinating, powerful and somewhat poignant read. Cheers - Gary Jim Tomcatx October 3, 2021 at 10:45 AM Gary--Many thanks for reading my poem & your kind feedback. Actually it's set in Austin, Texas. And somewhat autobiographical.

Chetta Achara October 2, 2021 at 12:25 PM Been there, done that! Good poetic read. Jim Tomcatx October 2, 2021 at 3:17 PM Thank you!