Twisted

thoughts, willy-nilly, drift out of mind
restless in the muddle of entanglements 

things
twisted
like my garden watering hose that weeps the earth to life
a bold green pushed to fruition 

twisted
like winding highways that overtake you with litter
scraps of fast food for gulls in cherished feeding

twisted
like student summer factory work that manufactures
cursing
when assembly line work disassembles purpose

twisted
like landfill debris of mangled cellphones
tech faith that ushers us to connective clutter

twisted
like barely concealed malice
an ugliness unfolding worthy of trash TV

twisted
like war's celebratory cruelty, the tyrant's glee
in threatening a seeded nuclear future

still
in the midst of blaze and fumes, caress what's most
vulnerable 
affirm the grit of human living
and hold out hope
like a candle hovering just outside a keyhole


Poem composed April 13, 2023
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

Poem

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Andresen Avatar
April 17, 2023 at 11:11 AM
- Congratulations on your win, Brian ... interesting and great written :) -
Sambourne Avatar
April 25, 2023 at 7:40 AM
Greetings Sunshine, Your note to me brings April light. Thanks very much! Brian
Paul Hempstone Avatar
April 16, 2023 at 8:31 PM
I really enjoyed reading your poem, and my favorite line was "hold out hope like a candle hovering just outside a keyhole", it's such a powerful and evocative image that perfectly captures the theme of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. Your use of imagery throughout the poem is truly impressive, and I can feel the emotions that the poem conveys. Thank you for sharing your work with us!
Sambourne Avatar
April 16, 2023 at 8:46 PM
Thank you, Kabutha, for your detailed and supportive response to my poem. I wanted to end the piece on a positive note so I looked to an image of light to stress hopefulness. Be well, Brian
Goldsmith Avatar
April 16, 2023 at 1:07 PM
Congratulations on your win. A creative write. Have a blessed day/week..............
Sambourne Avatar
April 16, 2023 at 2:15 PM
Thanks very much, Paula for your stop by + congratulations. Be well. Brian
La France Avatar
April 15, 2023 at 3:00 PM
Brian, thank you for sharing your wonderful poem with us in my Writing Challenge congratulations !
Sambourne Avatar
April 15, 2023 at 4:08 PM
Hello Constance, My appreciation for the 2nd position placement in your contest. A grand listing of T words as a prompt. Cheers, Brian
Poet Avatar
April 15, 2023 at 8:34 AM
You have a gift for words, dear Brian. Congratulations, my friend, on creating a work of such great merit.
Sambourne Avatar
April 15, 2023 at 4:10 PM
Greetings Lasaad, You are most kind as I doubt most would find my work of high merit. However, your thoughtful appraisal is encouraging indeed. Best wishes, Brian
Kendrick Avatar
April 15, 2023 at 2:48 AM
Reads like a good contender to me for the contest. Way to go. We do need to hold onto hope for the future, but we know the end of the story as it is written about in The Book. Thanks for sharing and for dropping by my page. Sara
Sambourne Avatar
April 15, 2023 at 5:06 AM
Hello Sara, thanks for your affirmative message. I am not sure if my "Wasted" poem will strike the right note with the sponsor. My twisted list was actually whittled down for this submission. Be well. Cheers, Brian
Radice Avatar
April 14, 2023 at 12:55 AM
There are so many twisted layers to this superb piece Brian. I really enjoyed the read. Cheers - Gary
Sambourne Avatar
April 14, 2023 at 6:12 AM
Hi Gary, I hope that you are well. Thank you for you stop by and supportive comment. The world is a conundrum indeed. As a youth, I thought nothing could be worse than the Vietnam War. How little I knew. Best wishes, Brian
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