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Nepenthe

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

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

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.....................

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

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! ~

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

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

Di11y Da11y

Date: 2/21/2025 1:43:00 PM

I'm over here feeling sorry for the psychopaths being advised they need to change. Very few psychopaths would try and medicate away their superpower I imagine. Of course I've only met the fun type of psychopath :) Ahh sweet conformity - judging ones life by someone else's standard (nicely made bed) then wondering why it's not fulfilling...

David Kavanagh
Date: 2/22/2025 1:18:00 AM

I warned you! now you’ll have to go berserk in the gym, but just on the equipment, not the clientele lol!

Di11y Da11y
Date: 2/21/2025 10:49:00 PM

Too late, the effects on dreams were unexpected - I can't quite remember but something about my fate being dependent on a Hulk Hogan routine lol

David Kavanagh
Date: 2/21/2025 3:38:00 PM

I reckon empathy fatigue is all down to desensitisation, and possibly entropy, No don’t go googling psycho’s before bed, unless you have a bottle of Nepenthe beside you lol!

Di11y Da11y
Date: 2/21/2025 3:23:00 PM

Strange, it's easy to get empathy fatigue but less likely to find a reformed psychopath - perhaps a one way street. Just wondering whether wise to start googling psychopaths before going to sleep haha - thanks :)

David Kavanagh
Date: 2/21/2025 3:16:00 PM

The gin experiment sounds fascinating Dilly, and an excuse for me to have an extra one this weekend, all in the name of science of course :) but yeah I get your drift about the unfulfilling nature of the psychopath, and why they chase the buzz, perhaps to try feel some kind of pleasure rather than empathy, but I think at the end of the day like my poem says ones true nature will always come through ;)

Di11y Da11y
Date: 2/21/2025 2:51:00 PM

It's an interesting thought David. The psychopath I briefly interrogated felt they continually met objectives in the most efficient way (everyone fell at their feet - which was amazing to watch when in the know) but it did come across as a little unfulfilling. It's how they may chase a buzz, empathy or not that might be an issue - if neither God fearing or morally robust, what happens then? Make two gins, one empathy enhancing and one empathy nullifying and conduct some tests :)

David Kavanagh
Date: 2/21/2025 2:13:00 PM

It is quite the paradox Dilly, of course not all psychopaths are inherently bad, just the evil ones :), still it really does make one wonder if life can be more fulfilling by switching off the empathy chip, which of course is easier said than done, does Nepenthe even exist, maybe I could name a Gin after it, 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. ;-)

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