The Unrealistic Question

"So, why are you the perfect candidate for this position?"

Perfect - the opposite, really. 

Sore-mouthed from calling out for help over the years, 

pebbles tossed into roaring storms without traces found,

unheard echoes of unrequited attachment, learning the art of 'unloved',  

still troubled by phantoms poking unsealed injuries,

curled in the fetal comfort of fatal insecurity :

I am pieces.

Pieces, 

b   r   

o ke

 n.

Pieces, 

 

tedismachm. 

Pieces, 

fallen 

from 

hope's balcony

into the CHASM of thwarted introspection.

I can count my imbalances in these jagged house cracks;

I see the monster in the closet, scratching nightly to escape.

Purity purely removed from its purest form, given over to sadness's poverty.

Perfection is just a mask of survival beneath the cold lamp of a poker table.

Author's Note

"tedismachm" is meant to be the word "mismatched".

Reviews

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Love the sad and sombre tone you intect into this introspective free verse. You use some marvelous allegory which helps the reader feel the mood very aptly. Yeah I struggled with 'tedismachm'!

[Kay]

I was originally just going to rotate every two letters with 'mismatched', but I wanted to create the effect of being pretty much unrecognizable to demonstrate this meaning in the poem. Plus, you've shown me it's more fun for the reader lol. Thank you for your feedback on the mood and tone, it's great to hear that it came across that way.

[Saoirse K.]

what a great piece
you use space so well
and the way you play with words is phenomenal
breaking them up
moving them about
using the page as a canvas of sorts
the idea of impossible perfection
the, truthfully, unanswerable question
is a relatable one
"Perfection is just a mask of survival beneath the cold lamp of a poker table."
this is a fantastic image as well
great piece

[Kay]

I really appreciate your detailed reviews and the attention you give to every piece! I was thinking that exact thing while I was writing this - playing with the space on a canvas. I'm glad the final line stood out and the poem felt relatable, thanks for your feedback!