In A World Gone Mad

In a World Gone Mad

 

 

 

 

I am helpless

until my nails dry,

till that first cup of coffee

rushes like adrenaline

through my veins,

till the sales rack at Nordstrom’s

diminishes in size,

till Entenmann’s desserts

no longer satiate my tongue,

till I can strike a pose like Garbo

till I can quote the classics

of Shakespeare & Keats,

till menopause relinquishes

all rights of my body to me

till John Lennon’s  “Imagine”

no longer reverberates

in a world gone mad

in a world gone mad

in a world gone mad.

 

Reviews

[Ted Kniffen]

A fine piece of writing Kelly. I like the references to the places and things that have meaning for you. The day is truly not underway 'til that first cup of coffee is in hand.

A little thing, the abbreviation of until is 'til unless of course you're turning soil. :-p

[Kelly Scheppers]

Wow, I didn't know that! So, that means I have hundreds of poems to edit! Every time I attempt to edit something here, it always changes the format and leaves a lot of empty space below my poem. It's so frustrating! Thanks for the heads up, though. I really appreciate it, Ted. It's left me to wonder why no one cared to bring it to my attention.

[bigfootprint]

Kelly, this is a gem. Looks like we both have lots of catching up to do. Was just thinking, what in the world could ease the helpless feeling. You found lots of things, but I found none, since lottery windfalls and catered cajun cooking are out of the question. With the world gone mad, you appear to be the only sane and sanitary spot in my field of vision. Good work on this treatise. I will just sit here and keep twiddling.

[Kelly Scheppers]

Your review gives me cause to believe that there is much goodness to be found in a world gone mad! Many thanks, Doug!

[bigfootprint]

You are an interesting person, thank you.

[redzone]

the world has gone mad Kelly, but there are still some who, like you, love Entemmann's and John Lennon's "Imagine" AND write wonderful poetry....
so I'll bring the chocolate covered donuts if you make the coffee.... ;0) and we can talk about Keats and Shakespeare and how we can make a difference in the world.... by the way I recently bought a book that contains all of Keats' letters (it's called 'Bright Star"), I am sure you have read it....

[Kelly Scheppers]

I wish I could hug you! ; ) How did you know chocolate covered donuts are my favorite? I LOVE when you bit into them, they sort of crack...oh yes, "Bright Star". Have you seen the movie? I went out and bought it the day after I watched it on cable. How I wished we lived geographically closer...coffee and donuts...who could ask for more? Many thanks, my friend!

[redzone]

unfortunately I still have yet to see the movie, but I am determined too.... well I knew you love chocolate so I thought chocolate covered donuts immediately... but to be completely honest, they are my favorite Entemmann's as well... ;0)

[Kelly Scheppers]

Do get back to me after you've seen the movie! Please! ; )

[redzone]

ok, will do... would enjoy a conversation about Keats, the movie and his poems...

[Kelly Scheppers]

...most definitely!

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

“Imagine all the people...” your personal and eloquent poem imagines it so well dear Kelly. Creative and well-laid words and lines with great use of repetition of “till” to emphasize the helplessness we experience in these maddening times. We cocoon ourselves in self-defense, waiting “till” we can normalize again and be our best selves. Yes to every poignant, relatable, and meaningfull hurdles you name. Had to smile at Entenmann’s and menopause- ha! This excellent write resonates loudly and brilliantly.

[Kelly Scheppers]

A woman's favorite two subjects, right? Lol, I simply knew that would garnish some feed-back!
Many thanks, my friend.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Absolutely! True and relatable words for all of us “Godesses”-ha! Brava!:))

[Gypsy Warrior Queen]

I wouldnt ever say I wanted to go back or that I know everything that needs to change ...but oh I dread that its changing so swiftly and with such ease...our mad mad world...I find comfort and safety within my norms, like yours they feel kinda iconic. I always enjoy the thinking works you share!

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thank you, Eve. It's a little of me that actually turned into a lot!

[Dara]

In this world which is seemingly going mad, it is comforting to know that your poetry is one of those things that helps give it some resemblance of order. I have also been trying to stay away from the news and concentrating on every day things. Your words and thoughts so eloquently provide a contrast from what we keep seeing and hearing on a daily basis. My favorite line is "till I strike a pose like Garbo"... Your poem is simply brilliant and from the heart. A keeper for me!

[Kelly Scheppers]

There are days when I just want to put my head in the sand, and here in California, there's plenty of it! It simply amazes me how John's song still resonates, after all these years. Thank you most kindly, Dara!

[barleygirl]

Considering your highly-original structure of naming various pursuits, you have picked the most unexpected examples thru-out, to show your version (perhaps) of a world gone mad. Even tho I love every exquisite detail of your message, I honestly do NOT get the sense that this narrator is a person about to go mad. I do NOT get the sense of how this crazy mixed-up world makes me feel lately. I would love to be living in such a smooth-sounding world as the one in your poem *sigh!* Fondly, Margie

[Kelly Scheppers]

I had John Lennon on my mind at the time, wondering what he would think of our world today! Thank you, Margie. I really appreciate it!

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Kelly... after listening to the meeting in Finland by
two men who live in a world gone mad... I can identify with
the lines in your poem. Trying to see where this meeting will go
is an unsolved mystery, but so is the entire Universe a mystery.
Why prosecute some and not others... "to be or not to be"...
that is the question... truly a rare poem you have penned. Pat

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thank you, my good friend. Hope the world manages to be kind to you!

[Chris Shaw]

This is so you Kelly. How you manage to function on a day to day level. The things that are important to you and have meaning for you, until perhaps old age steps in and takes them away from us. This is how you function on a personal level in a world that literally seems to get madder by the day. A list of things that keep you sane.

Chris

[Kelly Scheppers]

...so true, Chris...perhaps with a little more emphasis on the coffee! Thank you so much!

[Pete]

wow! i love it. reads like a manifesto (declaration) for women. it's head-on and powerful. title, words, pic - whole package is creative. great ending. cool write, straight-up ... :)

"till I can strike a pose like Garbo" - favorite

[Kelly Scheppers]

I get these little brain waves to make changes just prior to posting my work. I wanted the effect of my words to resonate at the end, and went for the lighter coloring. Garbo was fierce...and so are you! A thousand thank you's, Pete!

[Lydia Shutter]

The fading of color in the font is so effective here. Every line is so YOU! From Keats to John Lennon to Garbo and Nordstrom's! Yes, the world has gone mad, but we need to hold on to some things that keep us sane! Great one, Kelly. Lydi**

[Kelly Scheppers]

Thanks for noticing, Lydi! Much appreciate it!