No Man's Land

A poem...

I’m the silhouette of a man,

-with a cigarette in his hand.

And I still have yet to stand,

-from the edge of this bed,

My thoughts in No Man’s Land.

 

I’m a nomad, banned

To wander among the sands

-of this shifting, silent desert,

Where each step is an effort,

-not to sink beneath the dunes.

 

Nightly, I fight the

-desire to disappear.

An insomniac, I’m attacked

-nightly, by my fears.

 

I’m too tired to sleep.

Too lost to dream.

Lost in thoughts deep,

-where nothing is what it seems.

 

With deep worn eyes,

-I slowly realize.

That my cigarette’s unlit.

And the lighter across the room,

-I’m too tired to get.

 

Awake, I’m a Shade.

I feel fake, as I fade.

 

The world around me’s too solid,

-to truly be real.

My mind is blank, I’m stolid,

-unable to truly feel.

 

Sometimes I wonder,

-if the world around me exists.

So I can simply form a list,

-of things I don’t understand.

Because, though I’m here,

-all I feel is the sands.

Filling my shoes,

-weighing me down.

Filling my thoughts,

-drowning the sound.

 

I’m not alive.

I’m not dead.

Because both would require,

-me to have ever left my head.

 

I’m the silhouette of a man,

-with a cigarette in his hand.

Awake, I’m a shadow in this land

-but, in my fleeting dreams…

                      …I sing amongst the sands.

Author's Note

Another new poem, I would love to hear your views on it. Just thoughts, running through my head and onto the paper. I didn't even think about it, just let it flow out.

Reviews

[Kelsey]

It's crazy to think that your thoughts can be sorted out into something so beautiful. As always, I really enjoyed this. The flow is lovely and I can always tell that it's something you've written. Your work always shows that it's you, and that's a true writer. Wonderfully done, my friend.

[MachinaWriter]

Thanks ^^ Long time to hear, you been alright?

[C.C. Marx]

Amazing job!! Sometimes the best poetry just flows out of us without us even trying :)

[MachinaWriter]

Thank you ^^ I love that feeling, when you just lift your hands from the keyboard or your pen from the paper and see what your soul has decided to sing today. I'd love for you to take a look at some of my other works, if you ever get the time. If not, then I still appreciate the comment and the kind words. They truly mean a lot ^^

[C.C. Marx]

No problem and I will definitely check out more! It is wonderful when you can let people know how wonderful there work is

[MachinaWriter]

I feel the same way ^^

[Southern Cross]

"I’m not alive.
I’m not dead." I have wandered those fields myself..The living dead..and come alive in my dreams of my own Utopia..such beauty in this dark piece..You have a great deal of talent. Finally someone I can read without trying to decipher the imagery which transcends even my competence and trust me I'm well educated..so yes ..I enjoy every read and mean every word of my comments to you.

[MachinaWriter]

Thank you. That truly means a lot, honestly. Thank you for taking the time to read my work. You have no idea how much I appreciate that ^^

[MachinaWriter]

Ironically, I'm not the least bit educated lol Never even went to high school, but imagery and language comes pretty easily to me.

[Southern Cross]

Well have you ever tried to decipher some of the poems on here? Needing 2 minds, a Thesaurus ,dictionary and a real vivid imagination. I tis a pleasure to read your poems. They are packed with imagery and written by a beautiful heart and soul

[MachinaWriter]

lol Yeah, I've had to break out the dictionary a few times on here, but most often the flow of the poem speaks for itself. That's what I tend to notice most. To me, poetry is often like boxing. Each line is a punch. But the flow and rhythm is most important, for it decides if your punches land at all, and with how much strength it hits.

[J. Write]

A pleasant read. It made me wonder in a number of ways. "Too lost to dream" "I’m not alive. I’m not dead"
I thought those were great lines.

[MachinaWriter]

Thank you, I appreciate that.

[eglantine]

Are you familiar with T.S. Eliot's The Hollow Men? I think you'd enjoy it

[MachinaWriter]

Is it a book or a poem? I'll definitely be sure to check it out. I love the fact that I get great read recommendations from you with every review lol

[eglantine]

it's a wonderful poem

[MachinaWriter]

Wow. Just got done reading The Hollow Men. Wonderful poem. "Shape without form, shade without colour,
Paralysed force, gesture without motion;"

That little part was amazing. I loved that. Paralysed force. Thanks for telling me about that poem.

[eglantine]

np, every poet shuld read it :)

[*~*Butterfly Kisses*~*]

A profound, vivid write of personal pain. Excellent!

[MachinaWriter]

Thank you. That really means a lot.