Allan Koven Poet Narrative

Notes About The Poem

Another existential poem- raises questions but provides few answers. Sometimes it  overcomes any logical reasoning. Nevertheless, as with all things, we can never really know,can we?  So when sleep overtakes us, we are grateful. The mystery of life can wait another day.

Straw Man

STRAW MAN

I poked the straw man 
He remained fixed, unmoved 
emotionless.

“There, I said, once again you ignored
me’. Then I felt tears flowing down   
to gently touch my tongue. 
 
Soon after he answered…
“Don’t you know by now your life is
destined to be what it is; why do you
expect more”? 

Because…because…. 

Because what? More struggle, more sadness,
more disappointment, more pain?”

No.  More answers, more meaning, more insight.

Why? Your mind can only absorb so much and
by some miracle you get what you want, then what?
Will you be happier, more content, more peaceful?

The straw man looked askew, more teary eyed, 
then turned over and lay silent .

CAK 6-2-2016

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Debbie Duncan April 21, 2017 at 6:43 PM Love this write :)

Poet Destroyer A September 25, 2016 at 1:00 AM Allen, I really enjoyed reading this poem but never the less its true, we think we know, but do we really know. LINDA Allan Koven September 25, 2016 at 12:09 PM Linda, thank you for your comments. We are built to question but we cannot conceive answers that are not within our mind's ability to understand. So we embroil ourselves in tangled webs of confusion and futility. Allan P.s. you are still the most wonderful, brilliant and talented poet on Poetry Soup.

Daver Austin September 20, 2016 at 11:27 AM Yes! You think you know a lot, but as you get older you realize you don't know diddly squat. Straw man - great idea. Congrats, daver Allan Koven September 21, 2016 at 12:30 PM Daver, for those of us that question life, it is like talking to ourselves (straw man). How can we ever hope to get answers about why we are here and why do we exist? Nevertheless, because of our makeup, we keep on asking and keep on being frustrated with answers created by other straw men. Thanks for responding. It's good to know others feel the same way. Allan

Arthur Vaso August 29, 2016 at 11:31 PM Brilliant, your notes could have been my comments, my kinda poetry! :) Allan Koven August 30, 2016 at 12:22 PM Dear Art, we existentialists need to stick together. I have written a number of poems on that topic. Will check out your site.