Waiting To Be Headless

In ancient cities and times,
kings, rulers and their often-faceless consorts,
were exalted in marble statuary,
yet
so much of those effigies
now remain headless.

Those bygone exalted figures
have lost their heads,
(or occasionally the odd arm).
I ask myself,
where did all their heads go?

Were they deemed to be sculptured flowers,
doomed to be dead headed like roses,
by stone-faced gardeners?

The beheaded, the headless,
litter history,
it makes me want to check my own neck,
to confirm my often weak-headed state.

Heads are easy targets,
you strike a light in the dark
then some petty tyrant takes offence
and poof,
there goes your head.

Genghis Khan played polo
with human heads.
If we were born
with a dotted line around our necks
we might put two and two together,
we might be better prepared,
for being booted around
like footballs.

If I had been clearly told
to always keep my head up my ass,
I might not have had this death wish,
to write weird poetry.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

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Rodgers Avatar
February 23, 2024 at 11:47 AM
Hey Eric, I just wanted to drop you a note to say how much I enjoyed your poem The imagery you've used to explore the concept of headlessness throughout history is both thought-provoking and captivating. Your words really made me reflect on the fragility of power and how easily it can be lost. The way you've intertwined historical references with contemporary reflections is brilliant. You have created a picture of the past while holding up a mirror to the present. And that twist at the end with the dotted line around our necks and keeping our heads up our asses - pure genius! - Blessings, Daniel
Ashford Avatar
February 23, 2024 at 3:53 PM
Thank you for this warm, insightful and erudite reply Daniel, it was a pleasure to read it, and I am much obliged to you for this response. All the best E,
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