David Kavanagh Poet Rhyme

The sum of dumb

Wish I was dumb
easily amused
Too thick to get hurt
not care if confused
Walk around half-gone
stare at the whole truth
Shrug my shoulders
right before I shoot

Being dumb’s simple 
takes boredom away
too dizzy to feel down
or deflated in any way
Gazes at a cellphone 
giggles at silly memes
More so the same sh!t
a billion times seen

Dumb has it good
needs little to do
Stares at the sky
never dawns why it’s blue
Sees a vivid sunset
pulls down the blind
Quickly falls asleep 
with a blacked out mind

Dumb wears the T-shirt
gets soaking wet
Catches a fever
believes it’s no sweat
Eats crap all day
doesn’t care if sick
Ends up on a drip
watches it for a kick

Dumb and numb
guitars that won’t strum
A vacant skull
muffled out drum
Won’t beat itself up
as a rule of thumb
My world’s so f•ucked 
dumb’s remains plumb

*               *               *

the world’s cleverest man once said ~ nothing to me ~ he wanted a life

By 
David Kavanagh

♡Like1

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Paula Goldsmith March 19, 2026 at 2:14 PM WOW!!! I do Not know whether to laugh or cry here. A powerful/true write. I see people/the world in this write and that is so sad. This crazy world/people are getting crazier with each new day. Have a great day writing away.......... David Kavanagh March 19, 2026 at 3:04 PM Haha! Great comment Paula, it captures the essence of a messed up world, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, or be better off dumb or not, don’t worry it’s just the human condition, its always been around, just more in our face these days with our instantaneous connections, which makes it seem all the crazier, have faith in yourself! Cheers David

Tom Cunningham March 19, 2026 at 9:06 AM The way things are going with the world, it would be great to just flick the. Switch to turn ourselves off to what's hapening outside. Having a worry free and carefree life has its appeal. Hope you had a great St Patrick's day.. Did you make it to Temple bar ? Tom David Kavanagh March 19, 2026 at 9:28 AM No I stayed local Tom, in Temple bar the queues are out the door, a guy would die of thirst lol! I agree it would be great to just flick the switch and turn off, although some seem to get off on stoking the fire, just like a certain Dumbo on PS thinks I started the gulf war, but is blinded by his own crusade that’s gonna end up pretty bad for his hero’s, and himself; Thanks for wise comment, hope you had a great St Patrick’s day too, cheers David

Laurentine G March 19, 2026 at 8:34 AM A bouncy read that I imagine many have contemplated - the relinquishment of all burdens where we bob along easily amused. Makes me think of those signing up for lobotomies. Yeah I never really stop to check my assumption that it's true of course that there is such an existence - those chasing the next pint laughing and smiling are usually running from something. Perhaps it'd be good to try a few lifestyles first - a travelling hobo or a philosopher spring to mind! Or maybe Bez's job of dancing! David Kavanagh March 19, 2026 at 9:11 AM Poor old Bez, even he went off the rails, and like you said, his job seemed like a no brainier, there are some easily amused people out there that I sometimes envy, but the life they live just doesn’t appeal to me, I have become more desensitised to human suffering, mainly because of its omnipresence, but the bigger picture of Earth and its place in the cosmos I never get bored with, even Kurt Cobain that possibly inspired this piece, ended up in tragedy, so yeah there really is no happy medium, possibly why the world’s cleverest man didn’t want to get involved in this one lol! Thanks so much for great comment LG, and opening my poem up even more, cheers David

Lin Lane March 19, 2026 at 6:51 AM Being a Simpleton is not as appalling as being a charlatan. If you’ve read Silas Marner, you will comprehend my thought about being labeled ‘dumb.’ Ignorance truly can be bliss but I’d not want such a life. I loved your after thought last line. It rings loud and clear, wearing a smile. David Kavanagh March 19, 2026 at 7:03 AM Heya Lin, The afterthought is perhaps more like the total of the sum after I added my poem up, No I haven’t read Silas yet, but have read (of mice and men) and the tragic consequences of being dumb, I agree charlatans are definitely more appalling and dangerous, I believe you totally get my angle of approach on this one, cheers David

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart March 19, 2026 at 6:39 AM I have full grin, full from the title and firm for every line, solid grin, your poem is so fun it hurts my face. xomo David Kavanagh March 19, 2026 at 7:06 AM There’s a nod to Kurt in here too! David Kavanagh March 19, 2026 at 6:52 AM Hey there Super Mo, maybe it’s not so dumb after all if it gives the great pigeon tart a solid grin :) still I saved the dumbest part for myself, lol, cheers David

Deb M March 19, 2026 at 6:18 AM Hehe David….funny and clever! Debx David Kavanagh March 19, 2026 at 6:22 AM A bit of Dumb fun Deb, only it’s not so dumb when trying to work out the sum, cheers David