The Slime

What is control? And how does it happen?

Control

Is not an iron fist.

It's a hazardous, toxic slime,

That greeted you and kissed

Your cheek at bedtime.

But then took its toll.

Control.

It fills your head and ears and heart,

With energetic zeal,

With such gleaming wisdom to depart!

Doesn't it make you squeal?

And shriek? And shake? And smile?

"Oh, doubt is for the weak!"

They say and you believe them, for a while.

Until you hunger to feel full.

Control.

Those rules they lay in place,

Permeate your skin.

Oh, hide your goosebumps in case

They might see the newfound rebellion from within.

Oh, now it's too late, you've grown dependent,

Like lichen to bark, or mistletoe to trees,

Your thoughts are not evident,

And your heart is under seize,

And it's your mind they stole.

Control.

The slime that seeps beneath your flesh,

It's in your veins, your brains!

the whites of your eyes, what a splendid mess!

Oh, it'll be in your very remains.

It'll get you some day, it you don't watch out.

Just like it slithered into me,

And there's just no amount

Of showers and baths that will make me cleanly,

Mind, body, and soul.

Control.

Brains don't need washing,

Hearts don't need worship.

New ideas don't need bashing,

People are not toys to wind up.

My rage burns hot as coal.

Control.

Put my brain in a jar,

And I'll supply the formaldehyde,

It sounds bizarre

But my mind was at war and you reunified

The thoughts in my head.

Fit everything into its proper spot,

With needle and thread,

Now I'm your little robot,

With your fingers in my skull.

Control.

Reviews

[emipoemi]

Wow......I love it from imagery, narrative, and even down to the musicality - this is absolutely superb! In Stanza 3, the word "might" in "They might see...." is unnecessary (the "might" is implied in the "in case", and it would also help the musicality a bit); and in Stanza 4, "cleanly".....that may be a word, which means exactly what you want it to mean, it's merely that it sounds a bit awkward in that position in the line. Also, I believe the word in Stanza 2 is "wisdom to IMpart" not "depart". But other than that, FAN-TAS-TIC!! Bravo! Well done!

[NeilSHowe]

This a cool departure from your other work. Playful. Cute in the best way possible. And yes brains don't need washing! Did you mean siege instead of seize? Good poem, enjoyed this a lot.