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Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Burlesquing My Soul

I started out
wanting to be
a song and dance man,
an entertainer.

I haven't
the hubris
to assume
you'll follow me
down the
rabbit hole
of vague,
inscrutable
imagery and
poetic conceit,
so I just try
to amuse
with the
workman's toolkit of
humor and pathos,
sex and violence.

I need
an audience
for confirmation,
so I'll sing,
dance,
and in desperation,
burlesque my way
into a motley strip tease,
revealing my
naked soul,
every hairy orifice
and unflattering bulge
on freakish display,
hoping you won't
turn away
and find someone else.

I don't write about
the horsetails in Asia,
or a church bell's lonesome tail,
or anything noble
like that;
its most just about
me.

Seemingly, in humility
I don't describe myself
a poet,
but rather a documentarian
and my only subject
is me,

which,
upon reflection,
is hubris
in its purest form.

31 comments:

  1. I LOVE this!!!!!! Especially enjoyed the hairy orifices....especially love the horsetails in Asia stanza........

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  2. Thank you - I was just being honest about who I am.

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  3. This is so beautiful & intense...! Appreciate honest poetry.. as it reflects the character of the esteemed Poet :D
    xoxo

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    1. Thanks, Sanaa! This is honestly who I am.

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  4. nice and very much in keepiny with your style lately Mosk

    much love

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    1. Thanks Gillena! I didn't realize my style was so noticeable.

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  5. This is so brutally honest.. And yes there are many levels of hubris,

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    1. Thanks, Bjorn. I am guilty as charged.

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  6. The conclusions drawn were quite funny and honest. I am amused and entertained, so point goes to hubris.

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    1. Thanks so much. Like I said I value being entertaining, so your words touched me.

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  7. I find when I point the finger at myself I keep others from having to do it. :) Always love your viewpoint.

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    1. Thanks, Susie! You can't accuse of something I've already admitted!

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  8. Anonymous5:19 PM

    pick a flower, any flower. a horsetail in Asia? i'm a horsetail in Irwindale. don't look it up. there's no such place. just trying to rhyme and wax poetic, the stuff you hate.

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    1. Ah, but that's where you're wrong. Irwindale is a city in LA county, see http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irwindale,_California . Besides, you could do much verse than trying to rhyme and wax poetic.

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  9. Honest and true-is so you! I enjoyed your poem~

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    1. Thanks so much, I appreciate your kindness.

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  10. Oh, I love this, and chuckled aloud at your ending. A neat way of addressing the prompt without allowing it to dictate to you!

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    1. Your chuckle is my highest praise.Thanks!

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  11. I love that ending! I was just reflecting today about all the stuff I never write about. ;)

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    1. Thanks, and I think you should open that can and start writing.

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  12. Narcissus blooming. There is nothing wrong with being our own subject. I'm mine most of the time; the rest of the time, my subjects are people or things that might affect me... hm, I guess it's all about me, too

    Love this.

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    1. Thanks so much. Perhaps the personal is also the universal.

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  13. Mosk - you're my favorite writer because of your honesty. You've influenced my writing in that way. And I'm the better for it. And for knowing you. Big hugs & kisses back to you, my friend. xo Paula

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    1. Thanks, Paula. I always enjoy your writing - it does not compel me to contort my brain into origami for me to decipher it. Also, you approach your art with humility and I think that's a good perspective :) Mosk

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  14. You know, the kind of poets I like to read most are the kind that write about themselves....and you are one of those. Don't stop doing it, please.

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    1. Thank you... and your wish is my command!

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  15. a fine lens you've carved here; fearless, humble, and well crafted ~

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    1. Thanks for your praise! Write on, my friend!

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  16. Love it. Have all the hubris you want!

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    1. Thanks, and yes, I'll have some more hubris! It's lo-calorie, right?

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