Get Your Premium Membership

Movie of Shame

Poet's Notes
(Show)

Become a Premium Member and post notes and photos about your poem like Gem Stone.


This story is actually true, except for the old age home and the actual conversation. "Devil's Breath" is a nickname for a drug used by criminals in Columbia (and now elsewhere).


 

I was new at the Jewish senior home In the center garden I saw old man read a tome I asked his name, to start a conversation, "Marvin Klutznik", he replied, to my consternation. I had paid so much to be in the place The man I was speaking was a global disgrace I felt like departing, but since not much life remained I said to him: "Klutznik, you're forever shamed..." I added, "How could you have been such a swine" He said "Glad you asked, it took a long time All these people saw a movie, none asked why Its 65 years later, you're the first, what a guy!" "Whoa" said I, "I saw this flick You made an ass of yourself over a chick It was disgusting, and we threw rice You sow your oats; Jews pay the price.: He said "As a child, my life was a mess Lots of overeating, vast amounts of stress I think my brain was damaged, I lacked all control Any urge came along, and my body it stole." "So I sank into the mire, but seemed to get out I got control of all urges, but I still had doubt Didn't see myself as a normal guy sickening I know, looking back I want to cry "But I shaped up, after all the self-destruction Actually got handsome, but no thought of seduction Impressed a nice girl, at least she seemed at the time Went into a vanity dance, but vanity is no crime." I growled at him: "you looked like a stripper on a pole I don't feel sorry for you, I feel a black hole." He shrugged - "I don't want mercy; I want you to hear I had an urge to be weird, abnormal, that's clear "But then, someone took a video It took lots of hoots and insults, before I could know The video went viral, took countries by storm They called me the Hebe, they claimed this was the norm." "Now here's the kicker, I shaped up, I really tried As years went by, weirdnesses died But the movie attracted a criminal crew I spent 27 years trying to disclose what they do." "They have drugs that affect your brain They can amplify those urges, that I tried to refrain They thought it would be funny to use drugs on me Push a new puritan to an old insanity." "They can spray drugs through the air, My rights didn't matter, they really didn't care They had "devil's breath" and that's just for a start They perverted science, manipulation is their art." "So I spent so many years, trying to warn To tell people that underground was a raging storm But I couldn't just grab a cop by the lapel And tell him this truth, it was quite a hard sell." "We meet here in this home, and I've told you what's real Got it off my chest, a better way to feel." "So" said I, "it seems you're crazy too." He signed, "believe anything, except what's true" He turned back to his book, and for a moment I thought What I know about this guy, the behavior was caught But it was still so crazy, a worldwide exposure Maybe even this was true, a symmetrical closure How could we save mankind from this place of old age, Where regret fills the room, and guilt writes the page? since harsh new science so easy to deny And a diagnosis of madness is where truth goes to die.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2025




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

A comment has not been posted for this poem. Encourage a poet by being the first to comment.


Book: Reflection on the Important Things