David Kavanagh Poet Rhyme

Listen to poem:

I walk in the shadow :with audio:

I shore up my doubt, behind a loosely bound hope 
Which in turn is propped up without foundation
Cynical of a life, at the mercy of luck
Collateral damage feeds my reservation 

I shore up my tomorrow with what I see today 
Without conspiracy or investigation 
I place trust in all that’s completely unfettered 
For fear, I’m left to this present resignation 

I shore up my life with whatever came before 
Not hindsight or academic education 
The oblivion traversed until I was born 
Strings along primal echoes of information 

I shore up my conscious with bliss and ignorance 
Interspersed with indifference on occasion 
It’s not I don’t care about suffering and death 
Rather, I’m desensitised by their pervasion

I shore up my denial with an open mind 
Which is nothing except raw interpretation 
This planet spins correctly, even though tilted 
Not by wishful thinking, but strange gravitation 

I shore up my boredom, trying to fall asleep 
When really tired, will attempt hibernation 
Anything to forget this human condition 
After remembering, I’m long past salvation 

I shore up my heaven, by creating a hell
Balance looks more appealing, in an equation 
Gaze upon purgatory, and share what I see
Not because I’m kind, it’s more my destination 

I shore up this poem by claiming it’s my own 
But in truth, it’s an open collaboration 
I conspire with the musings of all that’s unclear 
They dwell inside me, in flawless aberration 
       
         -        -       -      -      -      -      -

(And as the sky darkened I heard these words)

better to face hell alone ~ than bring the whole world along for the ride 

said the moon eclipsing the sun ~ who replied son I’m right behind you

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

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

Tom Cunningham March 4, 2026 at 10:25 PM Nearly missed this gem David, you've certainly brought it to life. Brilliant audio, you sound like my cousin ,love the accent. Must try it ,mind you I sound like a Peaky Blinder with my Birmingham accent lol. Tom Lin Lane March 5, 2026 at 12:44 PM He’s being disgusting in his usual nasty way by saying Tom looks like a character from I Love Lucy. You really have a trolling problem, Tommy and desperately need help. Go to your Elders and tell them Of your wrongs. David Kavanagh March 5, 2026 at 9:20 AM Fred??????? Lin Lane March 5, 2026 at 5:45 AM Tom, please do an audio of one of your poems! I would love to hear your voice so I and others could fawn over you. David Kavanagh March 5, 2026 at 12:42 AM Thanks Tom, I’m sure your Brummie accent will sound great if you decide to do an audio, give it a go! Some people think a cringy fawner is, when a commenter other than them, says really nice things about a post? It was later retracted and an apology given; I’m delighted you enjoyed this one, it was so much fun to do! Cheers David Tom Cunningham March 4, 2026 at 10:26 PM PS,what's a cringy fawner, ?

Lin Lane March 4, 2026 at 4:41 AM Well, it seems being out of town has left me in the dark about what’s been said here. But I’m here now and join my fellow commenters in their praise of your poetry, David. “Cringy fawners,” are we? Nothing you write is cringe worthy, David but what I Do find disgustingly bitter is a troll who continuously praises his own writing by suggesting people read this or that from his pen. Or quotes scripture when he knows your point of view. His ridicule is judgmental, and that makes God unhappy with him. You have shored up your patience with that one, giving him rope and he always swings himself from it. Your reading matches the strength of your character. Your voice demonstratively filled with conviction. I know you well enough to say that. David Kavanagh March 4, 2026 at 5:20 AM Thanks Lin, it was more what was said about the commenters than my poem, which is always up for genuine critique, it was later taken back down and an apology offered, so I’ll accept it at face value for now, if my voice matches the character of the poem then the audio can be considered a success, you do know me very well Lin, and we always respected each other’s beliefs or non-beliefs, and that’s how it should be, thanks so much for stopping by and praising my poetry, I consider it very high praise, coming from you, cheers David

Jan Allison March 3, 2026 at 4:48 PM oh a massive fave too! hugs jan xx

Jan Allison March 3, 2026 at 4:46 PM I listened to your wonderful narration of the poem David - Bravo it is an epic indeed. Pay no attention to the naysayers who are hell bent on causing trouble - we have put up with it for years - the block feature comes in handy with this persistent troll:-( hugs Jan xx David Kavanagh March 4, 2026 at 12:31 AM Thanks so much Jan, I really don’t get why anyone would disparage a commenter, only then to delete that comment, and later on reflection post a seemingly nice comment instead, I think it totally exonerates my poem! Thanks again and for the Fave, cheers David

Ink Empress March 3, 2026 at 1:09 PM Dear David, I hv always been eager to hear you read a poem. You sound like someone who already knows what he’s doing and has experience with spoken word. You read effortlessly and with such ease! Beautiful We have many spoken word artists on Instagram, and I must say, you’ve nailed it! As for the last line, I can’t help but moon-gaze tonight, though I missed the eclipse. This is a deep and profound poem, and I resonate with many of the lines here. A pleasure! Sending you light! Fave ofcrse David Kavanagh March 3, 2026 at 1:34 PM Well I’m totally blown away Ink, I’ve been around PS for about 7 years or so, and this is my first time to post an audio, I think this particular poem was inspired by a voice in my head, or above me, so it demanded spoken word lol! There will be a total eclipse in Europe 12th August but totality will only be visible from Iceland and Spain, In Ireland it will be about 90%, that’s if the clouds decide to clear :) thanks for the encouraging comment on me knowing what I’m doing, haha! Although I do enjoy trying to make sense of the cosmos, oh and thanks for the Fave, I’m delighted! Cheers David

Laurentine G March 3, 2026 at 11:38 AM My oh my this is marvellous! The best audio to grace the soup stage! This poem is incredibly powerful as a stand alone but intensified 10 fold by the audio. Bravo - I throw several bouquets at this virtual stage, well done Mr Kavanagh :) Lin Lane March 5, 2026 at 12:35 PM Your attempt at humor is sadly misplaced, Tommy. Haven’t you been critical enough? Trolling is really unbecoming. Lin Lane March 4, 2026 at 7:00 AM Only one commenter on this poem has an ego and he should alter it. Laurentine G March 4, 2026 at 6:04 AM Oh yes, I'll embrace my cringy fawner alter ego! The thing about my comment was it was genuinely celebrating another poet (David) for a real achievement - perhaps my bravo's were excessive but not undeserved Lin Lane March 4, 2026 at 4:59 AM I gladly join you, Jan, Ink and LG in your appraisal of this brilliantly written epic rhyme as well as in the irreverent comment that was deleted. Thanks to David for including the name we were called, I stand with you. Laurentine G March 3, 2026 at 11:08 PM Oh and of course it is a fave! It was extraordinary Jan - pure malice seeming to stem from me saying it was the best audio on soup. I just like authentic poetry and authentic readings - I felt terrible than me encouraging David lead to such an abusive comment. Although I see all evidence of ridiculing the commenters and defacing the page has now been deleted. Jan Allison March 3, 2026 at 4:48 PM Sad to see this is happening again Laurentine and David, some folk just can't help bringing a fellow poet down:-( use the block feature. hugs jan xx Laurentine G March 3, 2026 at 4:05 PM It was completely uncalled for and bizarre. I stand by my original comment and my right to encourage a fellow poet without attack. David Kavanagh March 3, 2026 at 3:49 PM Oh I much prefer this comment thread Laurentine, there was no need to shoot me down, or saying that your comment was hype! David Kavanagh March 3, 2026 at 3:18 PM This is all so confusing, I put my heart and soul into that recital, why are some commentators so cruel, imagine if I was a vulnerable teen? David Kavanagh March 3, 2026 at 11:57 AM Haha! Thanks for such high praise Laurentine, I would’ve been happy with a mere 3 fold intensification lol! I think this one definitely needed an accompanying Audio, and my very first one on soup, at least if there was any doubt which part of the planet I inhabit, it’s pretty obvious now :) thanks for the virtual bouquets and fun comment, cheers David

Paula Goldsmith March 3, 2026 at 11:11 AM WOW!!! What a powerful write you have here. What A Great Ending... Full moon this week. Pretty last night... I loved reading this one. Have a very blessed day writing away............ David Kavanagh March 3, 2026 at 11:42 AM Heya Paula, yes that moon has more meaning behind it than people will ever know, thanks so much for stopping by with such nice comments, cheers David