O Superman

I don't need a gun

though I feel you think I'm packing

it's in my head, of my mind,

through my brains

I can walk in the sunshine

hear the breeze-shuffled leaves

air sprites licking at my heels,

and you don't know who I am.

You don't see it at my hip

but sense a slanted holster

strap a stride-proud thigh

calm, yet irresistible 

armed enemy or friend

draw fast, first and sharp

I will shoot you down

but you won't know who I am.

Perceive of me a strength

it's past-less and present-less

thoughtless of dread

a void of fulfilment, an aura of grip

I am Discovery discovered

the careless means of God

what are you to me?

when you don't know who I am.

Derived of Creation

and perfected incomplete

violence without hatred

with no opposite, unopposed

loving without caring

the embrace of a killer

the pure, besting weapon of life

and that life knows best who I am.

Hiding in plain sight

I know all your secrets

I am the spy of weakness

you are the crumble of fakes

you see and are blind to me

a spiritually-flawed invention

a two-sided soul absolving hypocrisy

yet one side knows just who I am.

I don't need a gun

just clear-cool indulgence

a breeding consumption of all

and a predator's self-respect

you'll want nothing of me

but I'm something of you

I am health and disease, I am wealth and filth

and you'll never be just who I am.

Author's Note

The connection to the Laurie Anderson song does not extend beyond the title.

Reviews

[Crowley]

"The man in black fled across the desert and the Gunslinger followed"
Trying to pin down the experience of another is an impossibility beyond words. One mistake is the destruction of a relationship, a pact, an armistice, a universe. I loved the brazen upright confession without the machismo laden trash talk that usually accompanies the self described position of a character such as this. This is the fact and what you do with it will determine our outcome. Great work here.

[Philip Muls]

Captivating, strong wording. Gets down to the essence. I was thinking throughout that it would make for great lyrics to a song. Reminds me of the texts of long-forgotten band C**k Robin with Peter Kingsbery. Well done.

[Devons]

Thank you very much indeed! This poem seems to have crept under the radar a little, so I'm glad someone was able to appreciate it. I don't know the band, but I think I may look them up now, sounds interesting. Cheers!

[Bear]

I had to read this one twice, first because it flows so smooth that it was finished before I had time to enjoy the story line. Second it is rather captivating, the strong statement lines from the very start (I don't need a gun) and all the way through (violence without hatred) to the end (I am health and disease) grip you with bad intent and who doesn't love that??? I must admit the title kind of misled me, I kept waiting for a krypton bullet riddled body to drop in Ha! Ha! Very entertaining read, Thank you for an enjoyable afternoon of reading. Oh just so you know I am listening to Paul Oakenfold as I read :~)

[Devons]

Paul Oakenfold? That's interesting to know - but then I don't think even listening to the Laurie Anderson song would have changed your perception!
Could only provide metaphorical krypton. This is the real superman.
Thanks very much indeed again, my friend!

[Fran Marie]

A two sided soul....great descriptions throughout this piece.an entity to be reckoned with...
hiding in plain sight...a flawed invention..so many great lines ..the entire piece is well versed
.nicely penned..

[Devons]

Wow! Somebody actually reviewed this piece! I'm amazed. You're a gem, FM.
A friend of mine suggested that the font was too faint so people were avoiding it.
Thank you. I trust you didn't have to wear specs to read it?

[Fran Marie]

ha, the font was good , but I do wear my computer reading glasses for any and all poems..

you're quite welcome; Sir Devs..

[Devons]

Maybe I should tell people to wear their glasses before reading.

[Fran Marie]

Ha..yeah, I know..right?..maybe then they would read..

[Coyote Poetry]

Honest and direct words. They are true also.
"you'll want nothing of me
but I'm something of you
I am health and disease, I am wealth and filth
and you'll never be just who I am."
Somethings can't be controlled. Thank you for sharing the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[Devons]

Thank you, my friend. Good to see someone still alive.

[Coyote Poetry]

It is July 4rd. Everybody busy and you are welcome.

[kyam]

Wow, deadly, but sultry. Strong but softer. It's gentle ebb and flow. She's so entertaining and grabs you in and toys with you like the stars in the night sky do not have permanent positions. Good Job. Decadent like the best piece of candy in the box...I love it...Kyam

[Devons]

Thanks very much, and for reading. It's interesting, I hadn't really thought about gender when writing this - and I guess it's open to interpretation - but it's applicable to both sexes, and in fact goes beyond even that. In the end it doesn't matter, though, the meaning is the same.
Salute!

[kyam]

I was just coming from my perspective and I guess of course you would come from the males'. Still a great piece of art either way! Bravo! Kyam....

[Devons]

Thank you again, but I was coming from neither perspective just as a matter of academic interest! Or both. Anyway, I'm happy that you appreciated it so much.