The Difficulty of Tightrope Walking

For Robin W.

life flows in mirthful tones
bursting currents of euphoria
I falter at a closed window's edge
throwing light on muted imagery
only to envy my findings

terrifying relapses of joyful moments
that never lasted long enough
and this soul's burnt complexion
curses the devils who stayed too long
so I walk the wire...

balancing the burden of smiling
through sunshine's inescapable weight
and the blissful calm of dark rooms
divorcing me from fourth wall pretenses

moment's coveted relief, a simple charade
so, my grinning mask falls over brow
life elaborately coiffed on my crown
this burdensome spotlight is unavoidable
so I walk the wire...

the heaviest of contemplations
lack courage... always finding myself
asking Kurt to borrow his gun
knowing his answer won't change

sound reasoning trumps all justification
as I teeter along this razor'd wire
performing... The Masochistic Acrobat
beguiling my audience, or moreso myself
walking the wire... bleeding

Author's Note

Sorry for such a melancholy return. Had to get this out in order to move on creatively. As always, your thoughts are welcomed... Thank you for reading.

Reviews

[Frieda P]

I'm getting quite proficient at walking on high wires, I think this is one of your best to date Travis. You always seem to know how to touch upon a tender chord, seems melancholy does your creative spirit a grand gesture. :) Have missed you muchly my friend.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Frieda... I can't express how glad I am to see this review! Returning and learning of your departure was very unsettling. I hope you have been well, and will continue to stop by. ;)

[Cassie]

Frieda, I miss you too, you are one of the greatest rocks here on wc you need not disappear

[barleygirl]

No need to apologize in your authors notes (I've seen this before from you). We simply enjoy reading whatever you put here, whenever it happens to land! *smile* This is a very well-crafted message to describe how it might be (title line -- love it). Your word choices are sophisticated & your poem sounds very original, even tho the topic is relatable (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Margie, thank you for the sincere review, and especially for the hugs... they make any day better.

[User]

“Asking Kurt to borrow his gun” I shivered at that line. Hauntingly witty. Bravo

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Kurt Cobain was my first brush with suicide... It felt appropriate to allude to him here. Thank you for leaving me with your thoughts, it's both humbling and appreciated.

[Sami Khalil]

"life flows in mirthful tones
bursting currents of euphoria
I falter at a closed window's edge
throwing light on muted imagery"

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you for yet another visit, good friend.

[Sami Khalil]

:)..................

[Eddie Phillips]

I like the poem but I really like your authors note. We all have that moment when a thought gets jammed in our head and we have t get it out in order to move forward. I have written some weird stand alone poems due to this phenomenon.

Back to your poem: I loved the fourth stanza because it had raw emotion and gave a deeper explanation to the plight of the high wire walker. The metaphors and allusions were tight and helped to create a image in the mind of the reader. I think this is a great poem that could work better in spoken word form.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thanks bro, I appreciate the insight. I have to be honest tho, spoken word scares the ish out of me. lol I have encountered some amazing spoken word artists and man, I have no words for that level of talent!

[The Iron Horseman]

This is terrific, Travis. I love the metaphor of life as a high-wire act; it certainly feels that way a lot of the time. The last verse is particularly appealing, as you perform the Masochistic Acrobat. What a great turn of phrase!

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, friend... I am humbled by your thoughts.

[The Iron Horseman]

You're welcome. Thank you for a very entertaining read.

[h d e rushin]

these is a highwire strung between joyful moments and pretense my friend. No man or woman of color escapes the act or dare loose the grip of the balance pole. Perhaps that's what metaphor I for. To align ourselves with the precipice of the dreams we hope for, while real life plays itself out around our feet. The third stanza here spells it out perfectly. Darkness, like death, is unavoidable...great poem....dana

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you for the visit and on point perspective, your words help make this piece a success.

[Dr. YumnaKay]

I think this is an excellent metaphor you used here!
Life is indeed about walking on a tightrope balancing every emotion and everything that comes by us.. I especially felt this stanza here,
"balancing the burden of smiling
through sunshine's inescapable weight
and the blissful calm of dark rooms
divorcing me from fourth wall pretenses"
Nicely penned!

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank for such wonderful review, I'm pleased my words were able to reach you within this piece.

[Dr. YumnaKay]

You're welcome! It was a pleasure to understand the depths of your words ☺

[Bright Ocean Star]

Poe, I like the tightrope walker analogy. It is very creative and accurate to use that one. And, it is equally important to explore darker thoughts to put them to pen and get them out of your head. I find once I write something, it is a catharsis all on its own. Very nice writing, my friend...

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

It indeed is cathartic. I must admit, it can be arresting to my pen hand. This piece took a particularly long time to compose. Your thoughts have made it worth my efforts, dear friend.

[Bright Ocean Star]

You are welcome. It was my pleasure.

[Cassie]

Hi travis, this is a very good return no need to apologize. I look forward to reading many more

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you so much, Cassie... I am trying my best to keep my pen moving.