John Lawless Poet Verse

I Have Been Two People

I HAVE BEEN TWO PEOPLE

I have been two people, maybe more,
devised ways to meander through the
lives of those I’ve touched.

These encounters have not all been pleasant.
I have been defender, protector, anger’s liaison,
pained deflector of the sanctimonious rhetoric
of the shameless.

I have been lover, consort, friend, mentor,
comforter and comforted, stood strong in
the face of weakness, my own and others.

I carry the beatings of life’s whipping post,
lashes applied in my youth, consequences
of lasher’s lack of conscience.

I have become a divided house that
must stand alone.  I have cowered
courageously, stood defiant in cowardice.

I am the hard muscled sentinel, 
sharp eyed searcher, scanning
for the signs of evil’s stealth.

I am the hands that hold a baby’s breath,
the eyes that see not what might be, but what is,
the voice that hums a gentle song of peace.

I am the steadying shoulder for the old to lean on,
the unknown snow shoveler in the night,
the song of comfort in an old man’s dreams.

“I have looked at life from both sides”,
enjoyed loves clouds and rain,
I have been two people, maybe more.

John G. Lawless
7/23/2014
contest – Both Sides Now
sponsor – Alfred Vassallo

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Ramakrishna Chowdary Jasti July 23, 2014 at 8:19 PM John, it's a very profound write, I like it and wish you my best for the contest. R K

Andrea Dietrich July 23, 2014 at 7:23 PM gosh, I would say maybe MORE than two people. Some of these lines were truly awesome and powerful. Especially liked the one : cowered courageously, etc. The irony of it! John Lawless July 23, 2014 at 7:28 PM You are probably right Andrea. I have gone through several metamorphic recreations in my lifetime. Glad you picked up on the irony it.

Arlene Smith July 23, 2014 at 5:48 PM Very nice, John, my friend! I struggled with this one.. gl in the contest.. Hugs.. Arlene John Lawless July 23, 2014 at 7:25 PM Thanks, Arlene. I've been struggling with it for years.