You Asked Me

To speak plainly
So you can understand my thoughts

To translate my dialects
With greater complacency

But, you cannot touch my smile.

You cannot touch my smile
Exhaling from these lips through
Liquid monitors

My words are my heartbeats.

They don’t hang onto cliff…
...notes.

This infinite Victorian ink
Will not be filtered
For you, I promise

…

You asked me to commit perjury
Against a befuddled society

Giving them sense of security’s facade
By becoming one of them

Denied

For I am not
Melancholy’s sheep
Infused with Cloud 9 cotton balls
Urging to be plucked

I am a landscaper
For the herd to walk

…

You asked me
To be your shoulder

But, you couldn’t be my wings.
You asked me to be your voice.

Yet, you remained mute 
When two-faced solidarity made me speechless

So, WHY would I NEED to be YOUR microphone?!

When you already pulled the plug…

©Drake J. Eszes

Dedicated to those who continue to make love to the clutter…
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

Poem

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Manassian Avatar
December 4, 2013 at 8:47 AM
One of your strongest, Drake. Great poem......all those messages needing to be understood. You are so deep.....
Tacito Avatar
December 4, 2013 at 8:50 AM
So, so awesome, Eileen! Thank you so very much! =D
Courtney Avatar
October 16, 2013 at 12:28 PM
Great poem Drake, almost called you Drew again, your works are entertaining I enjoy them very much
Tacito Avatar
October 16, 2013 at 12:29 PM
Ha! That's ok. :) I appreciate it, Ruth!
Loveless Avatar
October 15, 2013 at 9:11 AM
I do indeed hang on cliff. . .notes. Your words leave me in that beautiful place between hanging and falling, with vivid lines "This Victorian ink will not be filtered" I love everything about this write!
Loveless Avatar
October 26, 2013 at 9:45 PM
Your very welcome :) Thank you for writing it ^ ^
Tacito Avatar
October 15, 2013 at 9:13 AM
=D Quite the sweet compliment, Jay. You've made me smile this morning. Thank you for that!!!
Carrillo Avatar
October 10, 2013 at 12:37 PM
I wish I could write the way you do, but you are you and I am me. I write plain and simple - you write in a unique way that only you can do it. Thanks for sharing... Lucilla
Tacito Avatar
October 10, 2013 at 12:42 PM
You write as you do. That's what makes you stand out. It's from heart & your memories. You are unique in your own way. Nobody can take that from you. ;-) Thank you very, very much, Lucilla!
Richards Avatar
October 10, 2013 at 10:33 AM
Yes!! Do not change who you are....each of us is so unique....but it is so easy to be swayed by a need to be one among the pack. I see it here, even within our poetry site.......and I am often guilty myself, of being led astray by contests...or "poetry experts"....or comments of those who offer help to change my words... but along the way, the change is to change the heart of the poem....and the heart of the poem is my own heart. You are stronger than I....no need for approval..I applaud you!
Tacito Avatar
October 10, 2013 at 10:47 AM
A great point. I've almost been swayed myself. I feel you there. Yes, "poetry experts"...I don't think so. Maybe to THEM they're an expert. But, we each have 2 eyes for a reason. To see things for ourselves and walk our own path. It's easy to be a sheep. It's much more difficult to be wild horse and ride off into our own sunsets. Thank you so much, Carrie. You are a real lady amongst women.
Sirak Avatar
October 10, 2013 at 9:21 AM
Brilliant poem. You make the reader think about what it means to be real and be true to yourself and others.
Tacito Avatar
October 10, 2013 at 10:48 AM
And that was the plan all along. ;-) Thank you so much, Monterey!!!!!!!!!!!
Lamoureux Avatar
October 10, 2013 at 8:29 AM
Your voice is so loud and clear you do not require a microphone. Another outstanding piece Drake. I prefer a woman to clutter myself *lol*.
Tacito Avatar
October 10, 2013 at 8:32 AM
AMEN TO THAT! Say no to clutter! =D Thank you so much, Richard!
Deschler Avatar
October 9, 2013 at 5:48 PM
So true! How can one be there for someone, when they are never there themselves. This poem gives the reader much to ponder...I love your lines, they are so unique and original. A terrific poem, Drake!
Tacito Avatar
October 9, 2013 at 7:48 PM
Hi there, Kelly! Thank you so very much! =D Yes, making the reader ponder is certainly a goal of mine w/each poem. Many, many thanks!
Neels Avatar
October 9, 2013 at 8:12 AM
Awesome way to end this one Drake, so many lines that pop out at me.. ;) a def fave for me
Tacito Avatar
October 9, 2013 at 8:24 AM
YAY! Awesome! =D Thank you, Wilma!
J.T. Avatar
October 9, 2013 at 1:48 AM
Nicely done. That's a great question and this is good poem
Tacito Avatar
October 9, 2013 at 7:07 AM
Nice to meet you & thank you for that.
Van Breda Avatar
October 8, 2013 at 8:59 AM
Drake :) Great to see you back on the grid. Loved this--- your words are simply BRILLIANT in their expression....I mean... "For I am not melancholy's sheep.." Where do you find these perfect words??
Tacito Avatar
October 8, 2013 at 9:33 AM
Why thank you, Kim. :) The words just kind of come to me. For me, it's about thinking of a line and then asking myself "How can I twist this"? =)
Jordan Avatar
October 8, 2013 at 8:15 AM
Love the dedication... Jack
Tacito Avatar
October 8, 2013 at 9:31 AM
Thank you kindly, Jack! =D
Onclaud Avatar
October 8, 2013 at 7:23 AM
i was going to request for a part 2 of ' just because' when my internet zoomed out.. ohh, , this one speaks volumes, drake..know when to give and when to hold back when boundaries are at stake..and to love without terms when both know the meaning of spaces in between.. incredible!.. how art thou? :) huggs
Tacito Avatar
October 8, 2013 at 7:35 AM
You want a part 2? Hmm, perhaps. That said, yes, you have quite the grasp on this. Especially the "spaces in between". =) I art GREAT! How are THOU? =P
Mcdaid Avatar
October 8, 2013 at 7:05 AM
deepand very beautifulpiece of writing
Tacito Avatar
October 8, 2013 at 7:29 AM
Many thanks, Liam!
Adams Avatar
October 8, 2013 at 7:05 AM
I don't know why people ask us to change...we need to be who we are, who we are meant to be...I love this well written poem from you...it speaks volumes :)
Tacito Avatar
October 8, 2013 at 7:34 AM
Because many people don't know how to be themselves. Even worse & in most cases, those same people are judging others and/or being loudly critical of what another does. It's hypocrisy at its most disappointing. Thank you very much, Sandra. :)
Jones Avatar
October 7, 2013 at 10:51 PM
Hey Drake....I just luv that you challenge my mind...I wouldn't ever want you to change a thing....:-)
Tacito Avatar
October 8, 2013 at 7:29 AM
Hi there! Then I shall continue to entertain your mind. =D Thank you so very much, Donna!
Ellison Avatar
October 7, 2013 at 8:08 PM
You, my man, are a poet extraordinaire! "I am a landscaper for the herd to walk" Absolutely BRILLIANT my man! You blow me away... if I only had half of your poetic genius!
Tacito Avatar
October 7, 2013 at 10:15 PM
You do, Jack. You absolutely do. You are you. You change for nobody. That makes you more genius that most I come across. I can promise you that. Thank you so very much!
Dietrich Avatar
October 7, 2013 at 5:48 PM
this is a COOL one, Drake!!! I loved a lot of the lines in this one.
Tacito Avatar
October 7, 2013 at 10:14 PM
Thank you very kindly, Andrea. :)
Johnson-Saunders Avatar
October 7, 2013 at 4:42 PM
Excellent write, Drake! So thought provoking...we can choose to be givers or takers I think. It's also a choice not to let others drain us... My words are my heartbeats...I love that line Love and Blessings, Rhonda.
Tacito Avatar
October 7, 2013 at 10:14 PM
Hi Rhonda! Great to meet you. Yes, "choice", that's the key word for all of these things. Thank you so much for stopping by here.
Chircop Avatar
October 7, 2013 at 4:29 PM
Why do people ask us to be different from who we are..Why do they expect us to say the words they want to hear.Never be one of those sheep Drake..Never.I do love to share my thoughts but I love to let them be seen and not shown.I know what i want to share and not share from my life with others.I have my own dialect as you have your own...You know what s to say ..share..and keep.Do i get the msg?A very sinciere poem.Just let those wings fly in the direction you want them to.I feel your pulse here
Tacito Avatar
October 7, 2013 at 10:13 PM
Because they're don't understand what it's like to appreciate who they are unless they "fake it to make it". You're on the right path with this. :) Thank you so so so much, Charmaine! =D
Chircop Avatar
October 7, 2013 at 4:31 PM
Tnks for your beautiful comment.I love your dialect as it is cause its what makes you who you are..
Delaney Avatar
October 7, 2013 at 4:04 PM
Love your imagery. That end line is full of surprise and irony. Nice to read your words agai. I've been off...kissing the Blarney Stone. SUZ
Tacito Avatar
October 7, 2013 at 5:29 PM
Hey there! Welcome back! =D Thank you so much!
Sivey Avatar
October 7, 2013 at 3:38 PM
You have captivated me by the splendor of your glorious write my friend! You sure know how to express yourself fluently and tell it like it is, I'll never have to second guess you Drake! I really enjoyed reading your masterful poem that you have so illustriously written! What a fantastic piece, Great Work!!
Tacito Avatar
October 7, 2013 at 5:27 PM
=D How awesome to hear that! Thank you so much, Russell.
Carroll Avatar
October 7, 2013 at 12:01 PM
Hi Drake, A poignant and honest write..I liked this one.. Ken
Tacito Avatar
October 7, 2013 at 12:31 PM
That was the goal, yes. :) Thanks so much, Ken!
Andresen Avatar
October 7, 2013 at 8:43 AM
- Deep written, Drake! - (Give of yourself .... I am pleased to give ... but, my inner thoughts nobody gets .....) - Proficient as always, my friend. - Have a great new week! - oxox // Anne-Lise :)
Tacito Avatar
October 7, 2013 at 9:09 AM
Yes, YES YES YES! Spot on, Anne Lise. ;-) Nailed it! Awesome of you to stop by!
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