John Hamilton Poet Free verse

The Folly of the Fight

The folly of the fight


These four walls; such contemptible and wretched creatures-
mock me, taunt me, deride me as weak and worthless.

I am shackled to the two evil twins-Misery and Myalgia.

As I wrestle with my afflictions, I throw tantrums-like a feral beast 
charging towards the drawn sword.

However...I succumb to the inevitable.

I sense the folly of the fight and submit,
although-unwillingly to this intransigent,
auto-immune disease.

How do you fight an enemy entrenched in your marrow?

This enemy is urging me  onward on this death march,
and it is unrelenting in it's insistence.

Death, at times, feels like a release of sorts, 
but I could never indulge myself in such disgraceful folly.

The pain is intractable,  inscrutable,  but...
I soldier onward... until the end.




August 07, 2020

John Derek Hamilton

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Freddie Robinson Jr. September 2, 2020 at 6:34 AM WoW!! Such an intense poem of introspection, John. I was moved deeply on the inside. As the muse battle waves of your suffering rippled indelibly upon my tranquil pond of daily serenity. I place this poetic gemstone in the highest space of elevated consciousness. Ty for sharing such prismatic thoughts of poetic brilliance. Love and more love always John Hamilton September 2, 2020 at 8:28 AM Thanks Freddie your comments always cheer me up, thanks for your generous words of support!

John Watt August 21, 2020 at 9:48 AM John, I see from your comments you are under pain management to bring you relief, I'm so glad to know that. Nothing challenges one's convictions and deepest beliefs more than incessant pain. Your words are so authentic in their suffering and inspire others to soldier on in the midst of affliction. Congratulations on your #1 win, my friend. ~ John John Watt August 23, 2020 at 11:45 AM John, I appreciated your comment about being judgmental (which I know I used to be) and growing in empathy (which I hope I am doing). Being judgmental comes factory equipped to children and empathy, sadly, has to be trained. Glad to know you are making that journey. John Hamilton August 21, 2020 at 3:21 PM Thanks John, it is so true that incessant pain can cause some wild thoughts even to the faithful, I'm so thankful I found the answer at the right time, but those memories will linger longer than I would want, but at least I have grown in my empathy, no more Mr judgemental such ignorance I had!!

Sam Kauffman August 19, 2020 at 4:15 PM First, and foremost, you remain in my prayers noble warrior! Living with pain is a double edged sword - reminding us of what it was like to be pain free and making the choice to "soldier onward." I relate to your words on many levels. This is powerful written with a fine pen! Know that you don't soldier on alone! Sending you blessings! John Hamilton August 19, 2020 at 4:41 PM Thanks for your kind words Sam, although I am not currently in this condition, I am on a pain treatment strategy so a lot better than before, but the memory is still vivid hence the write.

Anne-Lise Andresen August 19, 2020 at 6:56 AM - Congratulations on your win in Silent One's contest: INFLICTIONS :) - // Anne-Lise :) John Hamilton August 19, 2020 at 8:41 AM Thanks a lot Anne-Lise!

Jenna Logan August 16, 2020 at 11:47 AM I'm very glad to see these lines on the winner's list, John. John Hamilton August 16, 2020 at 3:05 PM Thanks Jenna, I'm pleased you liked it enough to comment...twice!

Andrea Dietrich August 15, 2020 at 5:50 PM thanks for recognizing the depth in my mask poem, John. I appreciated that! John Hamilton August 15, 2020 at 7:31 PM No problem

JC Brul August 15, 2020 at 5:31 PM "The pain is intractable, inscrutable, but... I soldier onward... until the end." Such a brave heart! Congratulations for your TOP WIN! John Hamilton August 15, 2020 at 7:31 PM Thanks JCB I think your first time to my page so welcome!

Andrea Dietrich August 15, 2020 at 3:40 PM This was such a well deserved win. I remember really liking your presentation of this topic when I read this before. Congratulations, John. John Hamilton August 15, 2020 at 7:30 PM Thanks Andrea

Sigrid Ermine August 15, 2020 at 4:42 AM Well equipped writing. Talented. Natural patter, yet poetic. I like your form. John Hamilton August 15, 2020 at 9:19 AM Thanks Sigrid, I'm glad you came by. I think the first time reading me so welcome to my page.

Silent One August 15, 2020 at 3:40 AM OMG, do you still feel this low my friend? I am glad you have a pain management remedy.. we never forget though, especially when pain is the only thing reminding us we are alive... One of your best poems my friend, ive never read one so personal and emotive from you (normally song lyrics).. Your faith is strong, so i know you will be fine! Congratulations on your first place in the contest.. John Hamilton August 15, 2020 at 9:18 AM Thanks SO for a nice win, I put a note on this poem that it is not how I currently feel, this was a while ago but now the pain is manageable. It's true my faith is the only reason I don't give in to desperation. Thanks for your kind remarks and consideration.

Andrea Dietrich August 13, 2020 at 4:34 PM you will have to tell me how you managed the pain (maybe in Soupmail sometime?)! Just now saw you had left a reply on my comment! John Hamilton August 15, 2020 at 9:16 AM Thanks Andrea will do!

Joanna Daniel August 12, 2020 at 1:47 AM Pain filled and touching write, John, sure to win:) John Hamilton August 12, 2020 at 9:30 AM Thanks Jo, I wish I had your confidence, I've seem many great poems entered for this contest, so it will be interesting to see how this one is judged. Thanks for your kind support!

Andrea Dietrich August 11, 2020 at 1:38 PM I get this completely. we reach a certain point of realizing death would not be all that bad after all. Oh boy I just saw this was fiction?? WEll, you sure made it seem real. WELL DONE. (I also see you USED to have this pain then? So glad for you that things have improved then) John Hamilton August 12, 2020 at 9:28 AM No not fiction this was how I felt a while back, I have a new pain management strategy which is helping a lot, but the memories of such suffering are still vivid. Thanks for your concern and kind comment Andrea.

V. Deepa August 10, 2020 at 7:17 AM I succumb to the inevitable~each lines showcases pain..Sad write:-( I send you healing prayers dear JD sir.:-) I wish you to be healthy ,happy and strong with minute pains... Have a wonderful day.Take care.Warmest regards sent to you~Deepa:-) John Hamilton August 10, 2020 at 12:14 PM Thanks V.Deepa for your kind comment and concern, this is not how I currently feel but was written for the contest, thanks for your kind visit!

Jack Horne August 9, 2020 at 4:20 AM such a sad write but excellent John Hamilton August 9, 2020 at 8:17 AM Thanks Jack I'm glad you came by today and left a nice comment!

Brandy Nicole August 8, 2020 at 12:40 PM With any health issue causing physical pain. There will be days like you have expressed here. My heart goes out to those having to deal with such and those that tend to them. This thought holds me so close. "I soldier onward until the end" I have seen this and it moves me to tears. Your thoughts tug deeply at my heart. My best to you. ~ Brandy John Hamilton August 8, 2020 at 4:41 PM Thanks Brandy there was a time not so long ago I felt this way, those thoughts of desperation fade slowly!

Frederic Parker August 7, 2020 at 4:17 PM fighting is hard, fighting something that takes you to your core and is unseen is beyond measure...prayers to you John Hamilton August 8, 2020 at 10:46 AM Thanks Frederic I am so thankful you came by with your kind words, I am comforted and am grateful!

Michelle Faulkner August 7, 2020 at 4:00 PM It must be serendipity that I found this poem today, John, for my husband has multiple myeloma, and is going into the hospital next week for a bone marrow transplant. It will be a long, painful road to recovery for both of us. So the line about the enemy in your marrow is especially resonant. I am glad you remarked it is not how you really feel, and truly hope you will recover your health. John Hamilton August 8, 2020 at 10:45 AM Thanks Michelle I'm so sorry for your husbands illness, it really does take it's toll not only the one who is ill but their mate too suffers. My recovery is a long process as well, however the pain is under control for the most part.

Vijay Pandit August 7, 2020 at 1:21 PM A powerful depiction of reality that haunts some lives. Splendidly you gave them voice and meaning. I am predicting a TOP win, John. This is a definite FAVE for me. John Hamilton August 8, 2020 at 10:42 AM Wow thanks Vijay for your kind words and especially the fave, I really do appreciate it!

Jenna Logan August 7, 2020 at 10:49 AM I read your line about this not being how you truly feel, and I'm glad to know that. You fight the pain with prayer as YOUR sword, but I'm sure you know that. Your infliction poem is well written. John Hamilton August 7, 2020 at 12:55 PM Thanks Jenna I am a lot better these days I have started a new pain management strategy and it helps a lot. Thanks for your kind words, indeed prayer has got me through it until now!

Heidi Sands August 7, 2020 at 10:31 AM Great one for the contest John! Well done :) John Hamilton August 7, 2020 at 12:54 PM Thanks Heidi.