My Oppressor and I

The parched sycamore leaf
Walked across the patio
Past the portal of my dwelling

The alder slab was immobilized
By a decorative door stopper
Arranged to let the warm
November day work its way in

I snapped out of the life I was leading
Amongst the absorbing pages 
Of a well written book
With my space saved and novel snapped shut
I arose to meet the weary traveler
At the threshold of my hut

There before me was an empty meadow
It's vastness leading to my oppressor's home

I live here
I am my own oppressor

I burden myself with
Great weights of unjustified restraints
I use unused corners
To keep my quiet complaints

I am well aware of my inabilities
To cut myself some slack
I speak poorly of myself
Behind my own back

Never the less I yell
Demanding a presence to be shown
After several minutes filled with
Absolutely nothing at all
A second weary traveler crinkles
As it somersaults by my feet

Tricked by a tumbling leaf
There is no one out here for me to meet
The melted basil plants
Have returned to the ground
From which they have came
Once formidable weeds
Are now all laying lame
Once fruitful tomato vines
Are now blackened with
Nobody but the frost to blame
The land is ripe for winter to claim

There is no one out here
Nobody but my oppressor 
Who demands I retreat inside

I revisit the position
I held in my large armed chair
Easily returning to where I left off
With no acknowledgment
To the bookmarks job well done
No appreciation to it's
Silent steadfast work

Trapped through the ages
A life pressed between the pages

It is here I will remain 
Free from the steady glare
Of my all consuming oppressor 
Free from time restraints
Free from reality
Free from idiosyncrasies 

Free from the world
In which my position is unclear

It is here I will remain
Till my eyes fall heavy
The last page is turned
Or I'm disturbed by my next imaginary guest




3/5/18
Copyright © | Year Posted 2017

Poem

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Gauthier Avatar
April 13, 2019 at 12:21 PM
Congrats on your podium finish. Well done.
Neumann Avatar
April 6, 2019 at 3:30 AM
Congratulations on your win in my contest. I love your poem. It is a very original one and I believe I hear and can feel it. Kind wishes and thank you for your patience, while I took a long time to judge this contest. I am unpacking boxes and boxes and boxes of books in our new home in Spain. And the oppressors have taken over the asylum. Kind wishes, Kai
Gauthier Avatar
March 26, 2018 at 10:23 PM
A lovely rhythmic flow to this wonderful poem. Congrats on your win.
Lawless Avatar
March 21, 2018 at 8:10 AM
This poem grabbed me on many levels...its depth and mystery and its poetic presence...its vague - yet lingering - metaphoric mind teasing..thank you for participating in the contest.
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