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Once upon perdition :now a dedication:

This POTD is dedicated to Di11y Da11y who spoke the truth and paid the price! to the unheard poet you weren’t driven away you moved beyond them _______________________ Once upon perdition The apostate looked out his window, and started to believe As genuflecting pylons sent ramifications through the trees Chaos questioned reason, hoping for a guilty plea but the world was too far gone, so began the killing spree The Crier rang his leper bell: “Our town’s a godless apparition” Filling hearts with envy of a once-dreaded condition Now the King prayed for calm, in a pagan act of contrition After his son died at birth, he had proscribed all religion Atheists came from all around, excommunication filled the air Roots faced horizontal, trying to feed off despair Anxious to leave town, fallen gargoyles block civic square Steeplejacks grow disoriented, from looking up at disrepair “That hole’s not deep enough,” winked the jester to the knave He could never resist a shortcut, even digging his own grave As the madness continued, hermits set fire each other’s caves Shedding light on the void, by burning alive its willing slaves With the apocalypse gathering pace, populations slowly died Some genius came forward a real madman in disguise Said, “We need a scapegoat— a martyr, an ultimate sacrifice” He was crucified for being too clever; they much preferred no advice And whilst writing this story, that apparently makes no sense the queen was in her chambers, hanging herself from suspense Children butcher themselves gaily, having learned how to fence As for putting fear of God in us, the wicked come crawling to repent At last when heaven reopened, an eclipse tried darken that day Never to see man overcast again, Sun went nova, boiling all life away… By David Kavanagh

Copyright © | Year Posted 2025




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Date: 7/25/2025 6:57:00 AM
Congratulations on your POTD, David! It is very dramatic and engaging. The imagery and descriptive phrases were enticing. Enjoy your special day! A poet friend in Texas, Bill
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David Kavanagh
Date: 7/25/2025 10:45:00 AM
Thanks so much for the visit Bill! I appreciate you stopping by with congratulations, I like to put that extra bit of effort into these existential poems, I’m delighted to hand the baton over to you today, cheers David
Date: 7/25/2025 2:31:00 AM
- Congratulations on your p.o.t.d., David :) - hugs
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David Kavanagh
Date: 7/25/2025 4:28:00 AM
Thanks so much Anne-Lise, was delighted this one in particular was chosen as POTD, cheers David
Date: 7/24/2025 3:20:00 PM
So thrilled you dedicated the poem to Dilly, she is sorely missed. hugs jan xx
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David Kavanagh
Date: 7/24/2025 4:12:00 PM
Thanks Jan I’d appreciate that!
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Jan Allison
Date: 7/24/2025 3:48:00 PM
yeah we keep in contact, i will let her know of your tribute but she wont log on to soup to see it:-( hugs jan xx
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David Kavanagh
Date: 7/24/2025 3:34:00 PM
Thanks Jan, the Ekphrasis maestro has moved on to a less toxic offline environment, cheers David
Date: 7/24/2025 2:48:00 PM
Now I’m really confused. The case of the missing comments has been solved but I still don’t know where the Pink Panther is.
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David Kavanagh
Date: 7/25/2025 12:26:00 AM
USA Sport — Hogan would do anything to make himself look cool, even if that meant (stretching the truth) from time to time; I mean you couldn’t make this stuff up!
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Keith D Trestrail
Date: 7/24/2025 6:04:00 PM
Forgive my forgetfulness and befuddlement. First Ozzy and now The Hulk, I’m not coping!
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Keith D Trestrail
Date: 7/24/2025 5:33:00 PM
Gummy worms? I think you must have me confused with some other miscreant. Are you Dilly Dally’s Dilly Daddy? You may as well be speaking Esperanto. I feel like I’m in Wayne’s World. Schwing!
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David Kavanagh
Date: 7/24/2025 4:03:00 PM
Haha don’t beat yourself up about it, the (gummy worms) appeared in the comments too, maybe that might help you remember!
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Keith D Trestrail
Date: 7/24/2025 3:48:00 PM
Ouch! Note to self: I must learn to shut off camera on laptop. Well I must be living in a parallel dimension. I don’t recall any such poem. I’ve had a lot worse come my way.
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David Kavanagh
Date: 7/24/2025 3:30:00 PM
Guilty as charged for not paying attention inspector Clouseau, remember the poem Dilly wrote about a one incher, and you insisted she was taking the (mick) out of you, a self evident kind of truth!
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Keith D Trestrail
Date: 7/24/2025 2:57:00 PM
Also, I’m curious, what truth did DD speak? I really should pay more attention.
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Tom Woody
Date: 7/24/2025 2:49:00 PM
Poker anyone? Though I've already anted my two cents. I've got a Jello pudding pop I can throw on the table
Date: 7/24/2025 10:48:00 AM
David, this is pretty amazing! So worthy of a POTD. It is a mass of contradictions and reflections on the chaos of ambivalence and grief and reactions to grief. So well written, well composed! Congratulations and high fives! Blessings to you!
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David Kavanagh
Date: 7/24/2025 12:46:00 PM
Thanks so much Sam, it was quite therapeutic rewriting this piece, I’m delighted with your high praise, I really hope you are keeping well, the poem is indeed exactly how you describe it, that means a lot, cheers David
Date: 7/24/2025 10:40:00 AM
Hello David, Congrats for POTD! You took all those big ugly questions that are buried deep down in each of us and created your POTD. I liked that you let the poem get messy for not tidying up the horror, for following the story wherever it really wanted to go (even if that place felt like the end of everything). Let's take a few more matches and send them down the well and see what burns. Excellent Read! Summer Blessings, My Friend, Daniel
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David Kavanagh
Date: 7/24/2025 10:59:00 AM
Thank you Daniel, I was never going to tidy up this piece, the shape was always going to mimic the madness (well spotted), it brings out that desensitised sense of despair in an edgy manner, the culmination I’m afraid was inevitable, I’ll send a few more matches down the well and keep it burning, actually in another one of my posts I walked across the face of the sun and poured gasoline onto it, (quite disturbing) but there you go the life of a poet lol! Cheers David
Date: 7/24/2025 10:17:00 AM
Apparition appreciation right here, I went on your chilling journey every step of the way admiring your poetic prowess. It seems life can't go forward without the scapegoat and what original phrasing...is the fencing children line, such imagination convinces me we can make changes within these prophetic tenets. We have in our hands the power to circumvent the apocalyptic conception. Congratulations on this dusky jewel as POTD! Cheers
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I Am Anaya
Date: 7/24/2025 12:53:00 PM
Nice dedication, yet all took part~ she is missed
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David Kavanagh
Date: 7/24/2025 10:41:00 AM
An equally chilling comment Anaya, like I was saying to Brandy below, people have very short memories when it comes to human history; we (us) spoke before about MAD (mutually assured destruction) being the only thing keeping the fragile peace alive, yes scapegoats are very real, and every kingdom has a few ready to throw under the bus, the children fencing line seems quite innocuous, but has huge significance here, I’m delighted with the POTD honour and your comment, cheers David
Date: 7/24/2025 9:22:00 AM
' That hole’s not deep enough. ' Actually, it is. Seems as though many enjoy scratching around in the dirt. Proving what, exactly. Really, to those with a full understanding, the pattern is obvious. Some never learn, or they don't want to. Sad, indeed. So thought provoking, David, and I see this got Poem of the Day. My best to you. ~ Brandy
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David Kavanagh
Date: 7/24/2025 10:17:00 AM
Very keen comment Brandy, and I agree many do enjoy scratching around in the dirt, not sure if people never learn, it’s probably more they have short memories, and forget human history, I’m delighted you think my poem is thought provoking, means my job is done, thanks so much, and all my best to you, cheers David
Date: 7/24/2025 8:39:00 AM
Curious write! Congrats on POTD, David!
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David Kavanagh
Date: 7/24/2025 10:12:00 AM
It’s difficult to define this one Kim, other than the collapse of humanity as seen through my fallible eyes, the queen stanza probably speaks for itself, as in the nature of the beast, thanks so much for stopping by, cheers David
Date: 7/24/2025 7:20:00 AM
Back with Congratulations on your  POTD win. I enjoyed reading your wonderful write/story again. Cheers for a wonderful and blessed day with your win.............
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David Kavanagh
Date: 7/24/2025 10:04:00 AM
Heya Paula, thanks so much, you were the first one to comment, and I’m delighted you dropped back in with congratulations, cheers David
Date: 7/24/2025 6:28:00 AM
Often I miss POTD. Dear David , Glad to see your poem with POTD recognition. A very engaging poem. Congratulations! Enjoy the honor....
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David Kavanagh
Date: 7/24/2025 10:01:00 AM
Heya Valsa, was a big surprise to see this one POTD today, thought I had missed the opportunity yesterday, but one just never knows the PS secret algorithm, thanks so much for stopping by, and not missing this one, cheers David
Date: 7/24/2025 6:11:00 AM
Hello David, congratulations on your poem winning POTD. An interesting read and a great write. Wishing you a wonderful day.
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David Kavanagh
Date: 7/24/2025 9:41:00 AM
Thank you Zyroll, always a joy to get POTD on a personal favourite, thank you so much for kind congratulations, cheers David
Date: 7/24/2025 5:42:00 AM
Perfectly penned David, many congrats on POTD. hugs Jan xx
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David Kavanagh
Date: 7/24/2025 9:39:00 AM
Heya Jan, great that this one finally came together with the re-edit, I must search out a few more lol! Cheers David
Date: 7/24/2025 5:37:00 AM
Great job writing a uniquely engaging potd David! Congratulations
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David Kavanagh
Date: 7/24/2025 9:37:00 AM
Heya Karen, (uniquely engaging) will do it for me on any given day, thanks so much, cheers David
Date: 7/24/2025 3:43:00 AM
David, so well penned, a powerful poem. Congratulations on POTD, a well deserved honor.
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David Kavanagh
Date: 7/24/2025 9:35:00 AM
You’re very kind Tania, this was always one of my favourite poems, but definitely needed a few tweaks, I’m delighted with POTD and your comments, cheers David
Date: 7/24/2025 2:43:00 AM
returning to congratulate on your POTD designation. Your rewrite paid off! Well done, Sara
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David Kavanagh
Date: 7/24/2025 9:32:00 AM
It certainly did Sara, I’m delighted this one in particular got highlighted, pure imagination gone wild, thank you for the double visit, cheers David
Date: 7/24/2025 2:30:00 AM
Congratulations on having received the honour for poem of the day David. It’s so hot here day after day, I feel as though I’m boiling away. A wonderful write, well done… Beryl
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David Kavanagh
Date: 7/24/2025 9:29:00 AM
Heya Beryl, we’ve had that humid air over here too, after a weekend of rain lol! Thanks you for stopping by, I’m delighted with potd, cheers David
Date: 7/24/2025 1:50:00 AM
Congratulations on POTD, David. Great write
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David Kavanagh
Date: 7/24/2025 9:26:00 AM
Thank you Seeker, I appreciate you stopping by with congratulations, glad you enjoyed, cheers David
Date: 7/24/2025 1:38:00 AM
Thank you all very much, I will be over shortly to comment, (I’m trying to buy some time) defusing a Nova is quite tricky once it’s set in motion!
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Date: 7/24/2025 1:05:00 AM
The sun rose again for you this morning on your excellently written verses, David. Comments attest to your poetic talent. Congratulations on this one being chosen as POTD. Cheers!
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David Kavanagh
Date: 7/24/2025 3:19:00 AM
It certainly did rise again Lin, glad I could temporarily hold the explosion off, although the day could still turn out pretty interesting! lol! I’m delighted I resurrected this one, hopefully invigorating the original with the re-edit, your support is always welcome I’m delighted you see the poetry rather than bleak picture this one paints, thanks so much for stopping by with congrats, cheers David
Date: 7/24/2025 12:52:00 AM
Man will always look for a scapegoat for mistakes he’s made, quite a dark and foreboding verse David ,when we see the riders of the apocalypse, we’ll know it’s game over. Congrats on today’s POTD honour. Greetings from the New Forest. Tom
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David Kavanagh
Date: 7/24/2025 3:08:00 AM
Hope the weather is good down New Forest way Tom, sorry for the darkness in this one, I’ll switch back on the sun til you’re back, lol! I actually had a horse and cart behind me earlier when driving to work, (true story), I lost him pretty quick, before the other 3 showed up, thanks so much for stopping by with congrats on this difficult piece, cheers David
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Tom Cunningham
Date: 7/24/2025 1:06:00 AM
No worries Lin
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Lin Lane
Date: 7/24/2025 12:55:00 AM
Sorry, Tom. One of the PS glitches that won’t allow me to correct it... until hours later. ;-)
Date: 7/24/2025 12:42:00 AM
Hi David, Raced back before the Nova detonates to offer my congratulations on your POTD honour...well deserved accolade for an outstanding example of engaging and inspired writing. I tips me hat dear friend... Paul
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David Kavanagh
Date: 7/24/2025 2:59:00 AM
Time is of the essence Paul, but also relative to the reader, so I’ve put a temporary fix on the Nova, by placing a magnetar in orbit around it, don’t know how long it will hold though lol! Thanks so much for your support and uplifting fun comments, always a joy to hear from a voice of reason, I’m delighted this one received potd, you can put the Uber tab on my account, cheers David
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Paul Willason
Date: 7/24/2025 1:23:00 AM
Not a problem Lin...booked an intergalactic Uber to somewhere in the Pleiades...
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Lin Lane
Date: 7/24/2025 12:57:00 AM
Let’s hope we’ve a little time to write more poetry, Paul.
Date: 7/23/2025 4:01:00 PM
such imaginative words and insight. Your poem was compelling. Faving
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David Kavanagh
Date: 7/23/2025 4:10:00 PM
Thanks so much Sara, it was a Joy to re-edit this post, actually means more to me this time around, I’m delighted with your comment and Fave, cheers David
Date: 7/23/2025 2:31:00 PM
Decent write. Always happy to help out a struggling poet
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David Kavanagh
Date: 7/24/2025 2:22:00 PM
Now you’ll have to do better than that, I’d love to tell you what you want to hear Tommy, but you have never helped me with anything in this life, or your six other previous incarnations, that’s not to say you don’t amuse me when you pop over to call me names (zealot) or remonstrate about my agnostic writes!
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Brandy Nicole
Date: 7/24/2025 1:59:00 PM
It's okay, Anaya. Tommy explained how the comments start disappearing on a thread of a POTD. I see my comment below is gone. No worries. Your support is appreciated. My best to you, my dear friend. :) Hugs, Brandy
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Brandy Nicole
Date: 7/24/2025 1:54:00 PM
Sometimes it's just the simple things, isn't Tommy ? Your kindness doesn't go unnoticed. :)
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I Am Anaya
Date: 7/24/2025 1:52:00 PM
sideline critic's have metastasized they need to cease and desist with comments no longer benign, enabling each other's base instincts. Tommy does hold back with candid reserve, but too much distain will inevitably unleash a torrent of discontent. Everyone is watching, even my comments get out there by a certain peekabooer, I know who she is. I've added that Brandy is the epitome of a 'tender' heart and poetess. She doesn't do mixing it up with hate poems...yeah. so they get that right, for those thinking they are the tender ones. lol...I'm not struggling, I'm a happy camper and once again I <3 PS! I mean it Brandy and its important that this message stays posted. Ty, David.
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Tom Woody
Date: 7/24/2025 1:51:00 PM
Gosh David, we're all struggling, amateur poets here. I've supported you numerous times, as I have many. Still waiting for your visit to my page.
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David Kavanagh
Date: 7/24/2025 1:46:00 PM
I haven’t deleted anything, it seems Tommy has solved the mystery to the disappearing comments, I’m just waiting on Tommy to explain the struggling poet above!
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Tom Woody
Date: 7/24/2025 1:31:00 PM
Sigh. I'm not deleting anything this happens all the time. Apparently the thread will only hold ten comments which means my comment at the bottom which says "eyes wide open" will disappear when I post this. Please stop desperately trying to portray me in a bad light. Also the comment where I called you a fine poet is gone, though still in my personal comment thread
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David Kavanagh
Date: 7/24/2025 1:21:00 PM
Erm! that’s not what the comment up there says! Hey how come you keep deleting comments from this thread, I have them all screenshot if anyone wants to see the uncorrupted version!
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David Kavanagh
Date: 7/24/2025 1:16:00 PM
Brandy is always kind to me and treated with kindness in return, we’ve certainly never had any beef?
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Tom Woody
Date: 7/24/2025 1:15:00 PM
Dilly was/is a capable poet. There. Nice I've called you a fine poet, Paul a wonderful poet and Dilly a capable poet. Would you like to say something nice about me?
Date: 7/22/2025 4:11:00 PM
Now this is a poem of substance. You have opened the stained glass windows to reveal the horror behind...all of our own making. Such imaginative portrayals of the hells we have created, suffer in and blame some other entity for being the cause. Trust free will to contaminate the petri dish of the Grand Creator. Visionary writing David...hoping some fragments survive the nova.
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David Kavanagh
Date: 7/23/2025 2:01:00 AM
Heya Paul, most of the time after a star goes nova, the surrounding area is seeded with new potential and possibilities, so who knows life might get another chance; As of now it’s common man that pays the price for humanities hubris and failings, then like you said we blame other entities for being the cause, of course it suits those in power, and the ones making a fortune from selling religion, so glad you rate and totally get this piece, cheers David
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