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Madness

Standing in the centre

of a confused and troubled mind

turning this way then that

 

Pushing at the scalp

thrashing at walls

boom-box out of control

 

A wintry day in early May

too many voices all at once

familiar and yet unknown

Crude; mocking

everything that made any sense

 

Still.. in the centre

of a confused and troubled mind

I listen to living thoughts

from voices of the dead

◄ Space - Between the Lines

The Charibdis Effect ►

Comments

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Elaine Booth

Mon 22nd Nov 2010 19:40

I think there can be a number of readings of this: madness, bereavement are alternative states conjoured up by the poem. I hope you don't mind me asking - would you look at lines 4 & 5 of verse 3? It could be that I am missing it but the line ending on mocking halted the meaning which I took to mean "mocking everything that made any sense." My point is, should there be a pause between "mocking" and "everything..."? I love the "Wintry day in early May" and the "Standing in the centre..". Also, like Isobel, I like the lines 1 and 2 of verse 2. x

<Deleted User> (7164)

Sun 21st Nov 2010 12:55

Thanks for comments everyone :-)

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Isobel

Sun 21st Nov 2010 09:14

Very evocative Janet. I liked the 'pushing at the scalp, thrashing at the walls' lines - it brings to mind the actions of madness.
I like the questions your poem raises - whether hidden within the madness, there aren't other forces at work. I've often wondered about the imaginary friends young children have and some of the things they appear to see.

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Cynthia Buell Thomas

Fri 19th Nov 2010 20:29

Great work, Janet, really penetrating, insightful work. What a warmth shines through everything you write now; hands-on awareness, I think, with compassion.

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Francine

Thu 18th Nov 2010 21:24

Interesting, especially the last stanza...
Love madness : )

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