Self Destruct

Running at a concrete wall

has a clear trajectory:

Preparation, Initiation and

Impact.

Then it's done.

With an inevitable outcome.

But suspend the moment,

extend the thoughts,

and expand the lens.

It's human instinct

to seek safety in distance,

always looking over your shoulder

so when you take a glance

Impact.

You're stuck on a broken path.

Stranded in-between.

Deafened by din;choked by pollution

begging for the light to turn green

Impact.

No-one will read your case.

Judgement for the appearance of your face,

so brace

Impact.

Traffic. Hundreds blocking.

The light at the end of the tunnel mocking.

Impact.

A baby crying

pleading for salvation

Impact.

A mother dying

consumed by starvation

Impact.

'A better life'

Impact.

'Freedom'

Impact.

Have you ever heard the joke:

What happens when you're stuck

between two concrete walls?

You run at the one with the door.

And the punchline is

the handle is on the wrong side

and it's reinforced steel.

Author's Note

My maybe not totally accurate view of refugees/immigration. Just that we should look beyond what we see as crazy measures to reach countries, and see them as individuals' decisions, which must have been motivated by something horrendous, not just following the trend.

Reviews

[Alfred Kukitz]

i agree totally. the universe manifest a language or action as something relative to the situation.

that’s why i cry when vietnam enters my face.

regards,
al

[Emma]

I don't think I could have phrased that clearer than you just did, and yes Vietnam was a terrible war which deserves to be more remembered than it is
Much love Em

[Norman 223]

I feel that your poem was more accurate than you give yourself credit for. We all seek what appear to be greener pastures, but desperation can blind you to the fact that it may only be a light covering of the mire beneath.

[Emma]

Thank-you, I was just slightly cautious as much to my embarrassment I am not aware enough of politics or our countries situation, and this topic is probably better left to those more clued up

[Lorry]

You do a great job here Emma, of painting the picture of constant chaos and confusion of being the one that needs a helping hand when at their lowest and most in need of a friendly face. Whether they find that face is up to us, as we battle the bureaucracy of modern life against the humanity we all need to survive. I do believe we were all refugees once. My family came from Ireland in the late 1800’s. It is funny to think of not being considered completely Scottish now, thanks to the freedoms we had. Hopefully there will be other refugees who will one day know what I mean by that.

[Deep]

the intensity of the poem is quite amazing, the repetition of word "Impact" is well used... I felt like I'm Into all these dreary situations and nowhere to go, every step I try to take met with failure. well written..

[Emma]

Thank you so much, it was the incessant barriers and failings that I really wanted to get across

[Deep]

I wish you have crossed some of them now...

[emipoemi]

.......holy kwap......! I love the way this flows! And the message may not always be interpreted the way you want it to be, but the message would still be interpreted as something powerful. Great imagery, great musicality, (your assonance here is marvellous), simply a wonderful read that takes you by the flaps of your soul, and shakes you until throwing you over the wall with that killer of an ending! Well freaking done!

[Emma]

Thank you so much, I don't want to dictate how people interpret it just didn't want it to offend anyone as I don't know completely what I am talking about, but I'm so glad that you liked it

[emipoemi]

sometimes not knowing what you're talking about is good. You can analyze it yourself afterwards and learn from that. This is the Muses talking to you, you listening, and allowing the poem to guide you. Again, well done.