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The Prismatic Self

I say the word and feign a Freudian slip From between its legs duplicities drip Often doubling as a quip and tasting chalky, just a bit History will record the troubling truth that I never existed if I don’t submit I’ll submit this thing as if it’s a soliloquy while being transparent with reverse psychology When transparency is brutal it packs a voice and reverse psychology, feudal and conundrous remains my voodoo doll of sadistic choice I’ll submit to this contest and play my part of being a number somewhere south of the winners art Once again I’ll suck up to the system and once again with all its heart the system will suck me down without even a gesture of orbiter dictum A social mirror once said, “we love you, submit to me” I used to show it what I wish I could really be but it cared more for its own scripted ego and tried to love me like a gas-lighting lover so I gave it the finger more than ten years ago I’ve been told that only the cream earns Summa Cum Laude I graduated Some Come Later from the hallows of a Christian god So how should I wear the facade upon this stage? I shouldn’t use “dude”, nor cliched kitsch like I just did But I’ll not to be sullied by a tired script from a mirror’s page Yet for the scripted glory this poet pines He rolls his eyes at the rules, and colors colors outside the lines Prismatic angles he declines and spanks his colors with twisted sticks With blinding tinnitus in his transient sight he thus surrenders and submits (to) his magniloquentesque amateur parlor tricks Earth to novice poet... Dude, submitting is not as painful as it seems Novice poet to Earth… No Dude, you know when falls the silent tree I hear poetic voices but my poetic choices have disqualified me, so this is my last reverse transmission into my pathetic poetic pipe dreams Thank you kindly. No offense but I should just go

Copyright © | Year Posted 2025




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Date: 6/11/2025 7:40:00 AM
Enjoyed the verse about the social mirror, the juxtaposition of “Summa Cum Laude” and “Some Come Later.” Congrats on a podium placement!
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Date: 6/10/2025 9:27:00 PM
I love it when poetry makes me laugh at what seems like a serious subject matter. The first two lines set a wonderfully comic tone - line about voodoo doll - wow ! gave a chill & chuckle. Congrats, for an incisive satire. ThkU 4 submitting- I resonate with the sentiments expressed. Blessings,x
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Date: 6/10/2025 7:27:00 AM
Dear Gary, as one of the co-judges of the contest, I congratulate you on achieving 3rd place! Warmest regards, Anne
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Gary Baldwin
Date: 6/10/2025 5:53:00 PM
Thank you Anne!
Date: 6/10/2025 5:56:00 AM
Nice placement and welcome to PS!
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Gary Baldwin
Date: 6/10/2025 5:54:00 PM
Thank you Tom!
Date: 6/9/2025 1:06:00 PM
Congratulations on your third-place title in Daniel's contest, Gary. It was a pleasure to help judge the contest and determine your placement. I would like to encourage you to keep your pen busy writing more of your style of poetry. This site needs more talented poets. Enjoy your trophy.
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Gary Baldwin
Date: 6/10/2025 6:04:00 PM
Thank you Lin for your kind comments and encouragement!
Date: 6/9/2025 12:27:00 PM
Hello Gary, Congratulations on taking third place which doesn’t capture the fullness. Your words unwound a whole narrative of defiance, irony, and raw honesty. There’s a nuance in your refusal to play by the rules, and yet you still gave us something to feel, to think. You’re not just submitting but you’re making us question what it even means to submit. Congrats Again! Spring Blessings, My Friend, Daniel
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Gary Baldwin
Date: 6/10/2025 5:58:00 PM
Thank you Daniel for the opportunity, and for your reflective thoughts.
Date: 5/18/2025 12:27:00 AM
FOOTNOTES: Conundrous - A landscape, literal or figurative, characterized by that which is mercurial and riddle-some, usually packing at least two meaning that are at polar opposites. Magniloquentesque - Having the appearance of understanding and using really big words to the point of importunity. It’s a self evident word that tries to imitate imagery that it knows it is incapable of rising to. It wishes so much to play with the grown-ups but the grown ups can see the obvious.
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