Dysphoria

I sand smooth
     the rough
          edges of my words,
     over and
          over again.

Running fingers
     over them, only to
          find flesh still snags.
     I push harder
          down upon them,
     until blood
          has coated ink.

Turning red
     the ebony lines
          of dissatisfaction.

Still...
     they are not refined,
          not smooth
     to the minds
          touch.

A finer grade
     of sandpaper
          is needed,

but...
     will do nothing.

Reviews

[Gandré]

Well, as the Greek word says, dusphoros - hard to bear ... dissatisfaction is a state of consciousness, so to be aware is the most important thing. I always feel dominated by my dysphoria, like I had it the last weeks, ill and paralyzed by illness, but it's over, and I am home again.
This poem deals with writer's block, very poetic and pretty.

[DirectTangent]

Wonderful piece.

Speaks to me of the fine art of perfectionism, of never quite getting it smooth enough, never getting the wording just right (write). You portray wonderfully the obsessiveness, the constant striving, and the awareness that no matter what we may change, we may not be satisfied, still.

I thank you for it. I enjoyed the read.

[Johari]

Less writer’s block and more the everyday behaviour of a writer I would say. Isn’t this what we all do? Obsess, labour and agonise over every word?

This poem speaks to me of the blood, sweat and tears we put into our work and the fear that it is never good enough. It eloquently hits the nail on the head of the editorial process. It made me cry "YES, that's it!!! that's exactly how it feels!" especially that "not smooth to the mind's touch" line.

[Pndrgn99]

This is both intense and evocative. You have also achieved
Brevity without losing depth.
Nice!

[Pndrgn99]

I can't rate poetry 1-100 so no rating. You are saying something important, I like the piece, and if it didn't tell me you wanted more from it I would still know. I can feel the heart of a writer struggling to say something about the meeting point of words and ? (what ever you call it). I suggest a possible last stanza that confirms what you do know.Because I know you do. :)
Alex

[Octob3r Star]

Very awesome! :)

[JRB]

not bad great thought

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