Closer To The Edge

I’m dreaming
a little closer
to the edge.

Daytime voices
are invading
my eyelids
until all I can
see is red.

I roam the desert
looking for compassion,
but for as far as I can see
mercy is tongue nailed
to abandoned souls.

Why steams its question
into dry eyes until the mirror
turns its truth to capture my reflection.

I look deeply into my inner self,
beyond surface outrage to reasons.
The words I have released fail
to reach my hands…I can't judge
bigotry if I don’t carry compassion
to those who need its touch.

A nightmare needs a guiding light
not more tyranny to block each
route of escape.

©Susie Clevenger 2015

Real Toads ~ The Tuesday Platform


Comments

Audrey Howitt aka Divalounger said…
This spoke to me from the first line--I really like how this piece unfolds and wraps itself around the reader--beautiful writing!
December 17, 2015 at 5:00 PM
Gail said…
Sadly beautiful in its truth
December 17, 2015 at 6:12 PM
Jim said…
Sadly, most nightmares don't have much of a guiding light except for one, the one with the purpose of the dream.
A bigot only has one, really, for his compassion, himself. Maybe once in a while his spouse if they can still be in love.
You are on track, and it's lonely out in the desert.
..
December 23, 2015 at 12:19 AM
hedgewitch said…
It's a difficult road, to offer compassion to those who routinely withhold it, who I think, actually fear it as a weakness--I think you do an excellent job with your early rhymes, subtle and echoing, and the more direct phrases in middle and end get our attention all the more. Sometimes when I look in the mirror of my own anger, I do feel the abyss looking back into me--here you seem to understand that danger all too well. Best holiday wishes to you and yours, Susie.
December 23, 2015 at 6:46 AM
Kerry O'Connor said…
I love your opening lines, Susie. That statement says a lot about the kind of disillusionment we are being forced to live.
December 23, 2015 at 3:27 PM
Outlawyer said…
You may feel close to the edge, but compassion keeps us centered too--thanks Susie--you have a wonderful voice and spirit. k.
December 23, 2015 at 11:04 PM
kaykuala said…
A nightmare needs a guiding light
not more tyranny to block each
route of escape

It is a double whammy that makes choices difficult. But it is only fair if each is to do their part that makes life tolerable.

Hank
December 24, 2015 at 1:48 AM
Ostensible Truth said…
those opening lines are a stark introduction to modern being; we're all being pushed a little closer to the edge than we'd like to accept. the ending is similarly prophetic: "
A nightmare needs a guiding light
not more tyranny to block each
route of escape."
the problem is that that guiding light can lead to another nightmare altogether - the light here is subjective and the guider can be as tyrannical as the last. A thoughtful write indeed, great stuff
December 24, 2015 at 7:11 AM
Sara McNulty said…
Beautiful opening that carries through this who,e lovely poem.
December 24, 2015 at 11:47 AM
Magaly Guerrero said…
After reading of "tongue nailed/to abandoned souls", I might find "Daytime voices... invading my dreams" too. What a fantastically powerful image...
December 25, 2015 at 1:31 PM
Marian said…
Isn't this the truth. I love the idea of the steam opening dry eyes... wow.
Best wishes to you and your family, Susie! xoxox for the new year.
December 26, 2015 at 10:03 AM
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