5a. Open Topic

[gunwithoutmusic]

let's not call it “giving up”
maybe “moratorium” is better
i’ve never been one
to call myself a quitter

(but i’ve never been one
to call myself lots of things)

i spoke to you often
about the power of a word
about finding just the right fit
about agonizing over it

(not that you understood
but i understood that)

it seems so final
not just a drop of the ball
but an intentional release
a saying, “i was never
enough,”

(and a thinking about
the truth behind it)

let's neither call it “giving up”
nor embrace the finality of the words
let's give it another Name

Comments

[fausts_dream]

Poetry in idol is a risky endeavor but you do it well and I admire the boldness so I'll be giving this one of my votes.

[gunwithoutmusic]

Thank you so much! It's funny to me how "strictly poetry" never seems to play well because it's way more fun to write, but I also see the difference in apparent effort between what's basically an extended sentence and a several thousand word personal essay or piece of fiction. I appreciate your support :)

[fausts_dream]

"Apparent" being the key word.... I studied under the poet John Gorman, you're right at three or four stands of poem you can't afford to have a single throw away word. It's all boiled down to essence.