Second Chance

I drag my life as excess packages
in the bag lady’s cart.
Dropping my ingenuity in puddles behind doorways,
the sleeping cats hiss their start, 
interrupted from their dreams.
Solace in solitude has no voracity,
Yet solitude drapes around me it seems,
as cynicism backs up to yellowing pale of mediocrity,

My life flows backward rewinding to the place
found in the innocence of youth.
To the days when wonder unfolded
with temple like aura, a masterful truth.
Truth is no longer a valid argument for me.
As her smile, there are too many interpretations.
Hiding in the folded arms of escape
I cringe with trepidation. 

Self confidence seduces me, it fills my cup with excuses.
Then, forced to drink my own despair.
I choke on the words that are not there
and sip the silence mendacity peruses.  
Can I have my life again?
Not the politically correct version cloned?
I can say now what I couldn’t say when
on the top floor of Wall Street, I was owned.  

© 16 Dec 2010  Charles Henderson
    For Paula's "You can say it now' contest
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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Brown Avatar
December 29, 2010 at 4:04 AM
Congratulations on your win in Paula Swanson's "You Can Say It Now" contest Charles. Love, Carol
Sweetheart Avatar
December 21, 2010 at 7:35 AM
Congrats Charles on another top ten win in Paula's contest with this exceptional entry and write my friend.. enjoy sweet success once again my friend...
Radke Avatar
December 20, 2010 at 10:29 PM
I hope this poem does not slip away into the files, Charles. It needs to stay forefront, for it shines. Your last verse, the first four lines, amazing, simply perfect. Deb
Dietrich Avatar
December 20, 2010 at 8:20 PM
Gosh, you really outdid yourself on this one. It is a very well crafted poem, Charles. one of the finest in this contest.Congratulations! Luv, Andrea
Neels Avatar
December 20, 2010 at 7:32 PM
Congratulations on your win in Paula's contest Charles, I enjoyed the topic your chose ;) WN
Richards Avatar
December 20, 2010 at 6:08 PM
Another wonderful poem from your pen, Charles. How much we learn over time...so well expressed in your words! Congratulations!! Love, Carrie
Radke Avatar
December 20, 2010 at 4:34 PM
ps, soup mail to you
Radke Avatar
December 20, 2010 at 4:33 PM
I can't say how much I like this poem. It is so intricate and woven with such meaning. Very good. Congratulations on your win in the contest.
Devonshire Avatar
December 20, 2010 at 3:29 PM
What a powerful last line, Charles! People who are caught up in making money sometimes forget the importance of having people in their lives, too. Top notch writing with a message Ebinezer Scrooge could have written after visits from the ghosts. Congratulations on your win! Love, Carolyn
Mehta Avatar
December 17, 2010 at 7:01 AM
Very expressive first two lines that give boost to the theme of the poem, Charles
Radke Avatar
December 16, 2010 at 9:17 PM
Oh Charles, this is incredible. The search for truth, the yearning to become real again. Were we really only real when we were young? Do we lose that as we age, as we compromise, as we 'sip the silence mendacity peruses'. You have written a very powerful poem. I will read this again and again. Thank you for the link to Eliot. I have sent you soup mail.
Wilson Avatar
December 16, 2010 at 8:46 PM
An intriguing story Charles and very descriptive...Good poem..take care~Deb
Gorelick Avatar
December 16, 2010 at 8:21 PM
Good one Charles...I was captured by the first lines...A wonderful beginning.BG
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