Guilt

Guilt

Lurking secret in the recesses

Of obscure sub-consciousness

A quiescent irritation resides

Unnoticeable in the beginning

Lay stagnated stains of shame

Behind dismissive self-denial

A minuscule malignant growth

Of regret revisits to rendezvous

And manifests as a nightmare

Like shattered mirror shards

Every faulting reflection glints

A myriad of synapse laments

From first original sin to date

All have their artifact of guilt

Seldom shown or even shared

And yet each and every day

New deceptions accumulate

For evil feels zero remorse

Truth seekers tend to expire

Martyred into wasted oblivion

Only the exceptional survive

As time has nearly terminated

Who will weld a sword of justice

To slash down humanity’s ills

The imaginary red line is here

Negotiation is a useless tool

Only mindset changes will do

Copyright @ Phillozofee 2019

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

it was like that in the garden...the disobedience, the expulsion from eden...the shame of sin...
now though, it seems there is no shame in humanity's ills...no shame for the sinners...they just don't care...
and as you say in this poem...only "mindset changes will do"
profound write, Phill...
Truth seekers at least die trying.
j.

[Phill Oz O'fee]

Thanks Jacob - always spot on with your review (much appreciated my friend) - :-)

[barleygirl]

Once again, there are two kinds of people. Those who feel guilt over their transgressions & those who seemingly don't. For me, your poem explains why guilt & truth cannot coincide (those wracked with guilt are hiding something). I often feel futility when pondering your final question -- what force will stand up to the tsunami supporting those who act badly with impunity? Love the precision & power of your thoughts here (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[R.E. Ray]

We live in a society that makes every effort to eliminate guilt, provided the "guilty" party conforms to society's demands... politics, sexual identities, religion, etc. Speak up, even if self-effacing, and you're struck down by others who refuse to own their shameful acts. Seems it's best to live true to oneself and know it's better to own a lie than assign it as truth. Always good to read your poems, and think deeply about such things.

[Ted Kniffen]

Out of the Garden came shame...guilt arrived with Cain & Abel...but all that has disappeared in the mindless world we inhabit now. Acceptance for everyone...everybody who plays gets a participation medal...don't want to bruise young psyches...no shame in doing what makes you feel good.

Shame was once a useful tool...now its just a slogan on a t-shirt slovenly people wear to Walmart.

Good write, Phil.

[R.A. Youngblood]

You're skilled my friend, and I love your vocabulary. Thanks for sharing1