deepundergroundpoetry.com
At Arm's Length
At Arm's Length
The walls are closing in.. The water-line is rising up
The ceiling's getting lower now, and time, it flies and dies with us
The winds will grow colder.. Shoulder the burden
As these kids grow older, know these soldiers are virgins..
The children of men, who had nothing to live for
Just a past love, but that's something to sin for
That's not enough, this vast dungeon'll give more..
I need the pain and chains and things to rearrange this reign of kings
Hundreds run ragged; what'd dad punish the kids for..?
Your father's an angry god.. War monger
Born conqueror; scores wander to change these odds..
I feel doom looming, the looting and shooting-sprees
The grip on the noose loosened, and soon I'll be truly free..
Bare and bleeding, barely breathing, yet spewing so fluently
It's said love conquers all, it's true.. Including me..
You can see, I'm not sure if I'm dreaming..
Torn at the seams, she's not sure if I'm leaving
Still searching for something I'm not sure I believe in..
At war with my demons.. Can't keep from drowning
These wings are holding onto the things that keep me grounded..
The blackening of a heart.. The collapsing of a soul
The scavenging in the dark for the patching on this hole
I just can't see what's happening; the gravity.. Its hold
On depravity is maddening, this cavity..? Is cold
And I'm deep inside myself.. Keeping myself at arm's length
Reach, and I might help; the reason? Why else, a calm strength
I knew it once before.. This truant lust for war..
This useless sin has use again, there's few I've trusted more..
Copyright © 2012 Travis J Gibbs, The Ant1-Her0 Project
www.ant1her0project.com
audio/visual coming soon.
The walls are closing in.. The water-line is rising up
The ceiling's getting lower now, and time, it flies and dies with us
The winds will grow colder.. Shoulder the burden
As these kids grow older, know these soldiers are virgins..
The children of men, who had nothing to live for
Just a past love, but that's something to sin for
That's not enough, this vast dungeon'll give more..
I need the pain and chains and things to rearrange this reign of kings
Hundreds run ragged; what'd dad punish the kids for..?
Your father's an angry god.. War monger
Born conqueror; scores wander to change these odds..
I feel doom looming, the looting and shooting-sprees
The grip on the noose loosened, and soon I'll be truly free..
Bare and bleeding, barely breathing, yet spewing so fluently
It's said love conquers all, it's true.. Including me..
You can see, I'm not sure if I'm dreaming..
Torn at the seams, she's not sure if I'm leaving
Still searching for something I'm not sure I believe in..
At war with my demons.. Can't keep from drowning
These wings are holding onto the things that keep me grounded..
The blackening of a heart.. The collapsing of a soul
The scavenging in the dark for the patching on this hole
I just can't see what's happening; the gravity.. Its hold
On depravity is maddening, this cavity..? Is cold
And I'm deep inside myself.. Keeping myself at arm's length
Reach, and I might help; the reason? Why else, a calm strength
I knew it once before.. This truant lust for war..
This useless sin has use again, there's few I've trusted more..
Copyright © 2012 Travis J Gibbs, The Ant1-Her0 Project
www.ant1her0project.com
audio/visual coming soon.
Published 5th Jan 2013
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
likes 11
reading list entries 3
comments 15
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5th Jan 2013 9:58pm
5th Jan 2013 10:17pm
6th Jan 2013 5:01am
10th Jan 2013 2:38am
First of all, welcome to DUP. I hope you enjoy it here.
There are so many great lines in this, I'm hard-pressed to pick a favorite one. Great diction and imagery along with a powerful delivery make this an exceptional poem. Enjoyed it much.
There are so many great lines in this, I'm hard-pressed to pick a favorite one. Great diction and imagery along with a powerful delivery make this an exceptional poem. Enjoyed it much.
30th Jan 2013 2:58am
Ralph Waldo Emmerson wrote: "What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters when compared to what lies within us." At any given moment,that which dwells within the depths of each of us-- whether it is the Darkness or the Light(the Goodness or Evil), hope, or despair--ALL have the incredible power to control and influence, totally, not only our individual characters--essentially who we are, who we can or will become--but our perceptions of our very existence...and it is often the darker aspect that exerts the most extreme, inconceivable influence.
In the beginning of your of poem, I cannot help but discern Darkness and hopelessness(perhaps the result of intense despair)to be the reasons for the poet's altered emotional perception of his existence,his "reality." (A warning to others of the impending doom--"The walls are closing in...time, it flies and dies with us...the winds will grow colder...."
Yet, as your piece enfolds, I begin to realize your symbolism of love as a conquering force, that somehow results in a "war" fought internally for something that the poet feels, initially, is worth saving...but, soon comes to realize unfortunately-- ironically-- that this particular love was perhaps lethal and its toxicity was literally threatening to destroy him from the inside, out. That is... unless he was willing to "distance" himself from that destructive love--put it "at arms length."
Even with, and in spite of, all the pain, the hopelessness, the sorrow that this toxic love creates...although the body submits, the heart succumbs(..."Bare and bleeding, barely breathing....";"torn at the seems;"..."The blackening of a heart..The collapsing
of a soul....")there is still the smallest portion of the mind(the poet's mind) that resists--that struggles to push back the blackness that threatens to leave (him) us cold, unfeeling, empty within..threatens to overshadow, occlude what we really need to "see".....("The scavenging in the dark for the patching on this hole";"this cavity is cold..."
Your creative imagery, and symbolism--remarkable, intriguing.Your insight--the value immeasurable! In a word, this piece is:
C o m p e l l i n g!
Thank you for continuing to share your creative gift with us!
Enchantress
In the beginning of your of poem, I cannot help but discern Darkness and hopelessness(perhaps the result of intense despair)to be the reasons for the poet's altered emotional perception of his existence,his "reality." (A warning to others of the impending doom--"The walls are closing in...time, it flies and dies with us...the winds will grow colder...."
Yet, as your piece enfolds, I begin to realize your symbolism of love as a conquering force, that somehow results in a "war" fought internally for something that the poet feels, initially, is worth saving...but, soon comes to realize unfortunately-- ironically-- that this particular love was perhaps lethal and its toxicity was literally threatening to destroy him from the inside, out. That is... unless he was willing to "distance" himself from that destructive love--put it "at arms length."
Even with, and in spite of, all the pain, the hopelessness, the sorrow that this toxic love creates...although the body submits, the heart succumbs(..."Bare and bleeding, barely breathing....";"torn at the seems;"..."The blackening of a heart..The collapsing
of a soul....")there is still the smallest portion of the mind(the poet's mind) that resists--that struggles to push back the blackness that threatens to leave (him) us cold, unfeeling, empty within..threatens to overshadow, occlude what we really need to "see".....("The scavenging in the dark for the patching on this hole";"this cavity is cold..."
Your creative imagery, and symbolism--remarkable, intriguing.Your insight--the value immeasurable! In a word, this piece is:
C o m p e l l i n g!
Thank you for continuing to share your creative gift with us!
Enchantress
Thank you for reading it. This is a very passionate piece that I have difficulty explaining. As much of a cop out as it can be, this is one of those pieces that would have been written simpler and more cohesive if I were capable. I love to perform this piece, but I have difficulty trying to explain any of it, LOL.
Every interpretation you've discerned is a point I'm trying to get across, but this is also one of those pieces that I'm trying to get something across that I just can't put into words. I have purposely developed a writing style that is layered with coded meanings for a couple of reasons. One, is I like for listeners to project themselves into a piece as you did. That's a gift to me, and I'm always thankful for it. I describe poetry as trying to translate a launguage that cannot be spoken. It's a paradox... Another reason is it's also a defense mechanism, and sometimes it works against me. There are times when I want to write something simply and plainly, and I can only find disguised versions of what those feelings are. I'm constantly working on that. I'm known to keep everyone at arm's length. especially myself...
Every interpretation you've discerned is a point I'm trying to get across, but this is also one of those pieces that I'm trying to get something across that I just can't put into words. I have purposely developed a writing style that is layered with coded meanings for a couple of reasons. One, is I like for listeners to project themselves into a piece as you did. That's a gift to me, and I'm always thankful for it. I describe poetry as trying to translate a launguage that cannot be spoken. It's a paradox... Another reason is it's also a defense mechanism, and sometimes it works against me. There are times when I want to write something simply and plainly, and I can only find disguised versions of what those feelings are. I'm constantly working on that. I'm known to keep everyone at arm's length. especially myself...
21st Jan 2013 11:23pm
The beauty of poetry is that you do not have to explain it. You pour out your thoughts and feelings even if they don't make complete sense on the paper. It is a mystery and yet another can read it and understand. It is deeper than words, than language. Some things you just can't explain. If a picture is worth a thousand words, a poem is worth a million. Thanks again for another million words.
30th Jan 2013 2:56am
29th Jan 2013 2:31pm
It's said love conquers all, it's true.. Including me.. ----- ah so lovely... loved that line
30th Jan 2013 2:57am
1st Jun 2013 11:53pm
2nd Jun 2013 00:54am
Anonymous
- Edited 1st Feb 2019 8:35pm
10th Mar 2014 00:16am
<< post removed >>
12th May 2014 4:48am
I like the cadence and rhythm of this poem. It's great as spoken word, but it also feels like it'd be good as a rap as well. Very strong beat structure and passionate wording--the way the words are like punching; like you're in a boxing match with what can only be described as thick, crunchy air.
