The Madness

painting is "The Furniture of Time" by Yves Tanguy

The Madness

Suddenly ceasing .... the

encompassing  -  surrounding "All"

 

                      

organizing relinquishes its gears so

edges draw a sharp crisp over-clear 

the focus 

there is something fearful behind it.

seen it on the edges

silly stimmung teases a cocophony

of strings and brass blaring out random keys

alluring temptation .... the darkness.

there will be  pieces 

inexorable stare pulls weight like 

an anchor........ magnifier light

crystaline candles' light

whole everything gone

as love from the forlorn

as life from the burnt planet yet

each minute thing ... is of itself

is of its own pulsing glare

inexoribly drawing the

Stare and madness like

rivers that stop clinging to the banks

E. 07/08/2018

Author's Note

I am reading the book "Madness and Modernism" by Louis A. Sass ..this poem is inspired by that reading ... the "stimmung" is a German word for mood or atmosphere .. the author divides it into these parts to describe what schizophrenic people experience: Unreality, Mere Being, Fragmentation and Apophany ... its an approach to understanding psychotic breaks as something "normal" which others may experience if certain feelings and mental states are intensified ... the author also refers to the "Stare" of schizophrenic patients ... a blank and unnerving stare ...hope you enjoy this rather different ride ;)
E.

Reviews

[LKBillips]

Wow. That sounds like a very interesting read. Your piece does feel fragmented. One thought leading to another then to blankness. Like being lost in a blackhole and seeing glimpses of normality through the haze of clouds. Really cool ideas. Thanks for sharing.

[Einstein Noodle]

and thanks for reviewing LK ... mental illness touches so many people and always any supportive families .. and it carries such negative stigma ... the book is one of my sons and is basically way beyond my intellectual capacities..but i get the gist of stuff like that and reading is a good challenge for me ;) i am completely satisfied with this poem because of your impressions ... thank you so much for taking time
E.

[Sami Khalil]

"stimmung teases a cocophony
of strings and brass blaring out random keys

alluring temptation .... the darkness.

there will be pieces"

[Einstein Noodle]

thanks for reviewing Sami .. always appreciated .. you have picked the lines that are the heart of this one ... too cool when poets connect in such a way ... peace and joy
E.

[Sami Khalil]

I do agree. You are welcome...

[wordman]

almost a play,i enjoyed it and the painting

[Einstein Noodle]

Wordman! that is so cool you draw a parallel ... i took a writing class that purposed to show how poetry, screenplays, movies, novels all have common elements and can flow from poetry ... pretty cool ... glad you enjoyed sir!
E.
ps. yes...that painting is something else isn't it!?

[wordman]

yes and yes

[Lydia Shutter]

The alliteration, the onomatopoeia of "cacophony", the whole mood....perfection. Nothing makes sense and then suddenly everything makes sense. The precise feelings of each emotion are highlighted. Excellent work here, E....a pleasure to read you. And I know I have reviewed this once before, but I had to return. Lydi**

[Einstein Noodle]

thank you Lydia! having someone "return" to a poem to read again is the best ;) mental health is an issue close to heart ... thank you for reading with sensitivity and really gratified you connected.. what an encouraging review ...thank you again!
E.

[Onlyme]

Numbness, fragmented moments, crazy episode, a glint of normality the stages of mental health. Wonderful insight. Into a suffer.

[Einstein Noodle]

yes!!! its all about the glint isn't it!? so nice to have your review Dawn ... thank you so much for visiting and finding this one!

[sette]

blankness surrounds the world of a person.. there is a vacuum needing to be filled up and that is the best time to find ways and means to get out of that vacuum and try to do something about how to live.

[Einstein Noodle]

YES! its that "blankness" experienced, to a profound degree, in schizoid personalities that both separates and creates feelings of loss and need ... misunderstood by those on the outside eh!? love your comment sette .. thanks so much!
E.

[Fran Marie]

This shows the madness of mental illness with its distorted views of reality .. Each fragmented aspect of life and the emotional chaos/turmoil within the mind..great poem well deliverred

[Einstein Noodle]

thank you Fran! mental illness is, tragically, well misunderstood. i do not think it is an abnormal state at all ... just more intense than most experience ... thank you for your sensitive and spot on review Fran ... best of the day to ya!
E.

[lightsong]

to live alone in a locked world inside the brain is never, and will never be something funny, let it be if the person is having mental problems or if it is a normal person, through Your words I thought of both, it's even more harder when someone is living inside his own world away from all the rest, many intelligent persons were/are like than, their minds work differently from others, what it is even more harder and crueler the "stares" of the people, the 'whispers" behind their backs. in my life I cared the less of how other might see me, let that be for You too dear Mr.E.

Thank You for sharing something different from You, but still it's You. very interesting, emotive and strongly written.

sending You the brightest of wishes to a happy and "less mad" weekend :)

[Einstein Noodle]

thank you for your sensitive reading and encouraging review, Light ...you feel me i am sure .. its true, i think we are all simply different parts of "normal" and all have the same basic outlooks .. we just differ on the intensity level ... my life is blessed Light .. i have retired to a little cabin in the woods and feel undeserving of the peace and joy i feel every single day .. life is a funny road and certainly i have had my share of struggles .. those points are the ones tho difficult, are the best instructors ever ... wishing you the top o' the mahrnin' as well as the rest of the day too ;)
E.

[emmajoy]

It's said that Life surrounds us all with the germs of madness, that few escape its stroke or nudge. And that of course, is why mental frailty is so frequently over.looked . it's near seen as the norm.. one person to another. To spend time caring for someone diagnosed as a faded light in his/her brain is - as your writing so finely shows: explosive phrases, stops and starts, too much of this, too little of that. Seems you've read and understood, opened other's minds and pleaded they see at least part of the picture..

In almost eleven years of being in the Cafe, this is more than likely the most-eye opening and relevant piece of writing - ever. Thank you, dear friend.

[Einstein Noodle]

oh my goodness emma...your review and sensitivity have blessed me more than i can say ..and that this inspired you is more than one can ask ... so grateful for your understanding this poem ...it cuts close to me personally .. love and grace to you me friend!
E.

[emmajoy]

Tis always a pleasure to read what you have to say.. nuff said.

[Ken Simm.]

It holds the horror well. Saying I enjoyed this would not be correct. Saying it was in itself a horrifically beautiful education would be more so.

[Einstein Noodle]

your honest appraisal is more than one can hope for ..your review tells me that i succeeded in my intent ..at least with you my very good friend ;) it is frightening to be sure .. those who brush up against a mental illness feel it deeply i am sure. thanks so much for reviewing .. on another note...top o' the mahrnin' to ya! ;)

[Coyote Poetry]

I loved this poem. I had to read again. The words danced to perfect thoughts taking the reader into the craziness. Thank you my friend for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Einstein Noodle]

and thank you Coyote Man! i feel honored you read it twice :) thank you for "feeling" this one and for your continued support and friendship ..peace and joy my friend
E.

[Coyote Poetry]

I love your work and you are welcome my friend.