David Kavanagh Poet Free verse

I swear to tell the truth

The whole truth 
and nothing but the fu(king truth
That laws, and math, only help solve 
local temporary problems, 
All of which fall way short 
on the infinite needs scale
were we rely on estimates, theories, 
and other manmade truths 
 
Still here we are, 
alone on a goldilocks planet
All 8 billion of us milling around, 
living our lives
guaranteed nothing
other than this moment 
and whatever came before 
To think otherwise 
would be presumptuously human
 
As for choice is there really any 
other than try feed ourselves
and sate the instinct to survive and thrive 

We are a civilisation built on
disparate societal values and creeds
Each day is an imperceptible handover 
from one generation to the next, 
with no guarantee they’ll do a better job 
 
But the real problem is not truth,
It’s why!
Why anything at all,
Why life
Why the fu(k am I asking these questions
I’m apostate, No!
I have little faith, No!
I am honest, No!
A nihilist, No
It’s because I have a sentient,
curious, unapologetic mind
that compels me to ask why!
 
Sometimes I think
i’d be better off a sponge 
floating in crystal clear turquoise balmy oceans 
Soaking up oblivious unintelligible surroundings 
Indifferent to mortality and the universe,
popping off a few buds every once in a while, 
or whatever sponges 
brainlessly do to further their species 

Such basic life is so very tempting 
but just doesn’t sit right 
Never to experience love 
however fleeting, 
Never to endure pain 
However crushing,
Never to feel like throwing in the towel, 
Even if just to mop blood 
off the floor like a sponge 

See, I’ve had moments 
unimaginably beautiful,
Alongside unconscionably awful ones,
Moments so real 
they can’t have been synthesised 
by any stretch of any imagination 

I believe a God or the universe 
created me as a vessel of interpretation 
to perceive itself 
from my unique perspective 
Well not unique per se,
more a personalised handicapped view 

I am nothing and everything
in the grand scheme of things 
No more! No less!
One that uses swear words 
language you may not like,
yet clearly understand

The weirdest part is not the feeling 
I’ve written this fu(ked up poem 
in previous carnations 
It’s my swearing 
just seems to be getting worse 

By
David Kavanagh

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Duke Beaufort March 16, 2025 at 5:41 PM David, your poem cleverly asks existential questions. Our understanding of what this is all about seems moot. At least you're trying to have us consider what we're here for. Take care!! Smiles! David Kavanagh March 17, 2025 at 5:51 AM Thanks Duke, existentialism is certainly pretty evident in my posts, I really enjoy tackling the big questions even if I just end up swearing at the trickle of answers, still I have found a few of them reasonable if not totally logical, cheers David

Paula Goldsmith March 11, 2025 at 11:30 AM I enjoyed reading your "I swear to tell the truth" write. Learning you tell the whole truth. Life comes with many questions but with few answers. That is where "Why" come in. Have a fun day as you write away.......... David Kavanagh March 11, 2025 at 3:08 PM You’re not wrong Paula, but doesn’t mean I’m right, perspective is the name of the game, “Why” is the unknown quantity, Still I’ve got a hunch “Why” I’m swearing so much in this poem, but I definitely wouldn’t swear on it! Thanks for stopping by, Cheers David

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart March 8, 2025 at 6:51 PM I loved every moment of reading this. The trip my brain took with my head in tow and out squeezed a tear a lump in my throat and a lasting grin. xomo David Kavanagh March 9, 2025 at 1:26 AM Thank you Super Mo, you really shouldn’t encourage me, but I’m delighted you do lol! I’m an existentialist at heart with a personalised handicapped view, hoping all those emotions you expressed especially that lasting grin stay with you for at least this lifetime, cheers David

I Am Anaya March 8, 2025 at 3:41 PM Penetrating and powerfully dramatic, and yet I'm finding humor, lots of it, thanks for the laughs "popping off a few buds every once in a while, or whatever sponges brainlessly do to further their species" that's what I meant. I don't recognize you a stranger, not often in your vocabulary are you like this. You're confident and are fearless. Life has many choices, phases, no need to stay stagnant. Stay nothing but true to yourself and nothing but the truth ~ Intriguing, Cheers I Am Anaya March 9, 2025 at 8:51 AM Exactly, I move around in different circles, it's crucial to have an open mind! :) David Kavanagh March 9, 2025 at 1:13 AM Heya Anaya, yes there is dark humour throughout this poem, as I could not have written it without same! I particularly liked the sponge line you mentioned, maybe it’s the most intelligent considering they have no brain :) Thanks so much for your wise input (no need to stay stagnant) just stay true to ourselves, and keep an open mind, cheers David

Lin Lane March 8, 2025 at 12:16 PM Keep questioning anything you choose, David. If you didn't, you would be one of the 8 billion who don't have answers but are too afraid to ask questions. Be a sponge but take care where you go floating. There are too many toxic places and people that will weigh you down until you drown in their deep waters. Stay buoyant. David Kavanagh March 8, 2025 at 2:04 PM I know only too well that confrontation must sometimes be met head on :) Lin Lane March 8, 2025 at 1:51 PM So have roaches, but I'm so glad you didn't bring them up! I don't like being pushed around and avoid confrontation when I can, but you know... David Kavanagh March 8, 2025 at 1:37 PM In truth the sponge turned out to be the star of the show Lin, those critters have been around for at least half a billion years, sometimes we must swim against the perceived current otherwise we grow weak and get pushed around ;) Lin Lane March 8, 2025 at 1:09 PM It takes a strong swimmer to go against the current. You can handle the tide, the waves, and the BS that floats in the water. A sponge was a better choice... good for soaking up tidbits of info you think is worth keeping. There's nothing interesting about an amoeba. Besides, a sponge gave me more of an opportunity to comment about 'things'. ;-) David Kavanagh March 8, 2025 at 12:39 PM Heya Lin It’s what I do by design or default, keep questioning everything, not sure why I decided on a sponge, when an amoeba would have sufficed, oh I’m well past letting people try drag me down with them, I’ll keep treading water and go slightly against the flow:) cheers David