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Pick-A-Title, Vol 49 Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Edward Ibeh
Prompt 3 Nepenthe 02/23/2025

Nepenthe

Now I’m empty 
I’ve taken plenty 
of Nepenthe
and lost my mind 

Oh it wasn’t that bad 
or so I keep telling myself 
Lying here all drowsy
trying to remember 
why I took it 
in the first place 

Of course! 
I must’ve been trying to forget 
something so terrible 
that I could not sleep anymore 
All’s starting to make sense now 

Still where’s the bliss 
if I cannot reminisce 
Being unable to dream 
is a nightmare 
But also offers
the possibility 
I might finally wake up 
make my bed 
and sleep in it!

Wait! Wait!
I’m fully awake 
and remember everything 
Such utter bliss 
I’m a psychopath!

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Robert Gorelick Date: 3/2/2025 10:43:00 AM In the words of Paul Simon: A rock feels no pain, and an island never cries. Can emphasize with Quasimodo when he asks gargoyle buttress, why can't I be made of stone like thee? The tyranny of memory and the horrors of reality. Here's to a deep steep and oblivion! Robert Login to Reply David Kavanagh Date: 3/3/2025 4:47:00 AM Some great lyrics and quotes there Robert, I’m delighted my poem may have evoked you to use them here, oblivion is not even the blink of an eye, cheers David

Paula Goldsmith Date: 2/22/2025 8:52:00 AM I enjoyed reading your creative "Nepenthe" write. Great Ending... "Good Luck" Have a blessed day/weekend writing away..................... Login to Reply David Kavanagh Date: 2/22/2025 10:50:00 AM Thank you Paula, the ending was never in doubt, but the outcome was lol! Cheers David

Ink Empress Date: 2/22/2025 8:28:00 AM Dear david, an intriguing take on the prompt this is. Strange i never knew the word nepenthe before i wrote for the prompt. But later saw that poe used it in one of his poems. Might be raven! Not sure. Was so cool to see he had such a huge vocabulary: and used those words so well. I think sometimes it is more comforting to be a psychopath, in this world than to be an empath. It’s overwhelming to feel too deep . Your poems always are very unique and different and also the ending did make me smile. Because of how straightforward it is made me actually see one say that! Pleasure reading your work. Sending you light always Login to Reply I Am Anaya Date: 2/22/2025 12:15:00 PM also, a drug described in Homer's Odyssey as banishing grief or trouble from a person's mind. He is more ancient...My poet friends ;) David Kavanagh Date: 2/22/2025 8:52:00 AM Heya Ink, I agree we have to keep an open mind on what an actual psychopath is, some people hear that word, and automatically think of an evil maniac, but most of them are just wired differently, and cannot feel or express emotion, for a person suffering from extreme anxiety this might sound like bliss, you totally get my poem and message! Poe is/was a master and always well worth a reread, the word (nepenthe) I’ve come across in crosswords from time to time, but never actually used it before in a poem, thanks so much for stopping by and sending light my way, cheers David

I Am Anaya Date: 2/21/2025 3:54:00 PM With a lack of conscience who needs nepenthe? I read that Nepenthe is fictitious, invented. There are 10 types of psychopaths, David, which one did you say you were? Lol. 10. Asthenic 9. Weak-willed 8. Affectionless 7. Explosive 6. Labile 5. Attention-seeking 4. Fanatics 3. Insecure or self-distrusting 2. Depressive 1. Hyperthymic. Evidence that you can’t bundle it up into just psychopath. Thought anxious attachment would be in the bunch. Much to ponder here, great contender. Lot's of luck! ~ Login to Reply David Kavanagh Date: 2/22/2025 1:14:00 AM Heya Anaya, Nepenthe is regarded as fictitious, as indeed is most poetry lol! Perhaps both offer a great way to find escapism or call into question our reality, so I probably tick that box, but I’m sure many traits on that list you provided have sub genres which we all fit right into:) thanks so much for bringing (the PsYcHo list) and stopping by, cheers David

Tom Cunningham Date: 2/21/2025 2:36:00 PM Lol, would it even work on a psychopath.? Nothing beats a shot of whiskey, you'd forget everything. Good luck in the contest David and enjoy your weekend. Tom Login to Reply David Kavanagh Date: 2/21/2025 2:59:00 PM In this case Tom, Nepenthe didn’t work on me as the first person, only made me embrace my true psychopathic nature, I agree a good stiff drink can put a sticking plaster over the memory process, but you better have another one ready for the next morning too lol! Have a good weekend too, cheers David

Lin Lane Date: 2/21/2025 12:52:00 PM Hate to delve into the cliche' bank, but I don't think ignorance is always bliss. Nepenthe is a drug to make one forget their sorrows. If it's only effective while asleep, it's just another babysitter until we wake and cry for another pill or a diaper change. That's a titch off the wall, I know, but it's a better outlook than thinking you're a psychopath. ;-) Login to Reply David Kavanagh Date: 2/21/2025 1:51:00 PM ;) Lin Lane Date: 2/21/2025 1:45:00 PM I got that after your explanation, but its more fun messing with ya! David Kavanagh Date: 2/21/2025 1:40:00 PM I doubt if I’m susceptible to hypnosis lol! I think what I’m saying here is that peace of mind is all relative to the individual, Lin Lane Date: 2/21/2025 1:20:00 PM ummm ok, David. I think I'd rather deal with sorrow than be a psychopath. May I suggest hypnosis? LOL David Kavanagh Date: 2/21/2025 1:05:00 PM Ha! But was I ever asleep at all or just in a trance like state, after taking the Nepenthe, this one was always about the paradox of trying to forget something, only to realise I was trying to forget I was a psychopath, but in the end realised that being a psychopath was actually the cure! :) cheers David