Ode to a Karma Cannibal

We all live on the energy of others

Smiles from strangers on the street

Tears on the shoulder of a friend

Charity from a faceless government

Counsels spoken by a good adviser

 

The energy of a crowd can feed you

The energy can keep you up all day

Feel the heart of a city as it beats

Or the soul of an audience as it soars

That vibe gives and sustains your life

 

Our only courage dwells with others

Borrow the faith of they who have it

Ride all the way into your heaven

The special haven may kill your soul

If you live your life there for too long

 

We are all cannibals for others’ karma

We go out to get what we may devour

Seeking validation, comfort or love

And sometimes we shoot up a bad dose

And it brings us down poisoned inside

 

We are such flawed dangerous things

Yet we feed from others so greedily

Feasting on those flaws foremost

Those richest sweetmeats for the soul

Taking the failure of others as prizes

 

Those things we hate the most in others

They make the best images of ourselves

So we all fear others just a little bit

Cos they show what we don’t want to see

They tell us what we don’t want to think

 

But nobody can live without a mirror

We need to see the stains on our souls

Cos we can’t clean what isn’t dirty

And everyone needs someone to help

Clear away the cobwebs of the spirit

 

So nurture the dreams of others too

They might be your dreams as well

Help the world to help yourself

What is put out always comes back

So calm your soul and wait your turn

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

I like how you twisted the words " Karma Cannibal' to fix the meaning of this poem. In this new world. People are colder and harder. Few people will bend down and help another. So many lines stood out for me in your poem.
"But nobody can live without a mirror
We need to see the stains on our souls
Cos we can’t clean what isn’t dirty
And everyone needs someone to help
Clear away the cobwebs of the spirit"
In this fast pace world. We need to slow down and try to have a soul with desire of kindness or like the title to this poem. "Ode to a Karma Cannibal"
Thank you for the outstanding poem.
Coyote

[Kenneth The Poet]

I read this piece, and I immediately think of theists that rag on atheists for stealing (cannibalizing in fact) from the religious worldview for their happiness and meaning. I have delved deep into the religious thinking of our time and I couldn't help but connect it with what I read here. To do that means you wrote a stunning piece. To undermine others only brings heartache. Nice work all around.

[Chris]

One out - thrice returned...

morals to reality...

Take care,
Chris

[Jeremy Baker]

Another great piece. I especially love the description "Cos we can't clean what isn't dirty".