The Taut Twang of an Aussie Man
Hey folks,
Tentatively submitting a few readings (plus a naughty bonus) I've done over the last couple of days. I don't have great equipment and I've not done any recordings before, so I'm a little out of my comfort zone. I'll write a short description and post each poem.
I asked permission from RLW (Rhyme Loving Writer) to read a Petrarchan sonnet of hers called 'Lillies'. I was trying to create a sonnet at the time, and remember being blown away by its finesse and beauty. I'm grateful for her blessing. She seems to fly under the radar, so I would highly recommend checking out her other work.
The Audio: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1NNNYkr3t7OcEptMlVJcnBoajA/view?usp=sharing
Lillies
deep breath that fills for lungs no trill of spring
time cast, recounted down to dawn of day
when all before traps seeping melt away
to hold with frozen passions meant to cling
decay believed forbidding; death as sting
set darkly dank amid time shortened rays
to mark such passing elegance delays
below, asleep for winter’s flight of wing
yet lo, comes yonder breeze of fairest view
to dance again with lilies in the field
when hostages long hidden stand revealed
with sharpened glance inspect each waiting dew
when soft caress of gracing meets the kneeled
with wondered eyes full-flowed of gratitude
Why Am I This Way was written for the 'Injustice' Prose challenge. I chose to read this because it became my most popular piece, so it obviously connected with people. The stanzas are a series of injustices I've seen shoved at homosexuals for just being who they are.
The Audio: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1NNNYkr3t7OUVluZlZiN2djME0/view?usp=sharing
Why Am I This Way?
Sit down little boy, sit down little girl,
Sit down there on your stool
All this glitter and that faggot twirl
Is why you’re bullied at school.
Sit up straight, unnatural child
Don’t wallow there so glum
I hate that you’re my grandchild
You’re asking for it, are you dumb?
So what do you think caused it?
Was it something you decided?
I don’t understand why you don’t just quit
God help you, you’re misguided.
Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve
Didn’t you read the bible?
Two men together can’t conceive
And a mother and father is vital.
No, never again will we kiss,
I can’t believe you’re gay
I’ve raised you, my son, better than this
You’ve been led astray.
Hey, I’m not homophobic dude,
I have gay friends don’t you know?
But, look, I don’t mean to be rude
Can you keep your distance?…no homo.
Can you guys just stop flaunting?
Can you keep it out of my face?
Think of the children that you’re haunting
There’s a fuckin’ time and place.
Is it just to make the victim wrong?
And let accusers have their say?
While someone who feels they don't belong
Thinks, ‘Why am I this way?’
Let It End is based on the disloyalty, rejection and betrayal I felt when I lost my job. I wrote it as a release to try and forge past this block that latched to my mind. It's my most emotional piece, and recorded in one take.
The Audio: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1NNNYkr3t7OcXNfZk1xS3FEM1k/view?usp=sharing
Let It End
I don’t know how to stop caring
Every thought just comes back to that moment
And everything that lead up to it
You got what you wanted
I’m left with what remained
A broken, bleeding mess
That out of nothing still spurts sorrow
Seeps the marrow of broken pride
Leaks the forgotten memories where I struggled and tried
And sucks the meaning from what’s left behind
And these few months later
The wound is still only loosely sutured
Because for some god damn reason
I can’t bring myself to let it go
It’s like a disease on the brain
That over time spreads and deepens
Until I got to that point
Where it’s just a constant numb fucking feeling
That digs deeper, tumbling, reeling
Succumbing to rock bottom, bowing down and kneeling
I’ve been so down for so long
And anger is so loud in my head, I couldn’t hear me
The real me inside that was crying
Yelling, ear-splitting screaming “JEREMY!”
Just sit still a moment and listen, dear me
You’re so frightened to be still and hear me
Just thinking about it still makes you teary
You’re the only one who cares now,
Honey, sweetie
This road leads only to catastrophe
So give it up.
That’s enough. Let it go.
No thought or tear is being shed for you
You’re chained to and drag a mighty weight
With which you’ve always held the key
Why haul something of no value?
That piercing, rippling red dusk descends
Release all of it, including your no-longer friends
With only your best wishes, you’ll send
Let it end, Jeremy, let it end.
Bonus: Alright...if you're still reading, I made another sneaky audio. Shakespeare's Sonnet 130 'My Mistress Eyes'. This was more for my pleasure, but if by some astronomical chance you liked my voice, well, I hope it makes you happy too.
The Audio: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1NNNYkr3t7ORm8ySUFBcHhMajg/view?usp=sharing
Cheers all :)
Jeremy.