Porn Addicts Anonymous

and impressionable young women

Through to shady tomes, there the glowing creep

Dislocates his lattice with cool blue strain.

           Anneal, sweet lady…            Your glorious pain

           enchants his sickness and wrests him from sleep:

                            Sweetest vanilla will reptiles weep:

                               Avow to keep bright the whitest of flame

                                 that will not falter, nor die in the rain,

                                    but fount without end from reverence deep...

 

So it is written:          let no lazy thought

rend you as senseless as chalk dusted stone

 

            whenever you need; desire; or moan

            in poverty which fills you yet with nought…

 

                             Girl, hold your nerve where want may wretched go

                             Lest dignity and your virtue be bought.

 

 

 

Author's Note

also titled: "How to make a Pigs Ear of a Petrarchan sonnet" ...

Reviews

[Tree]

Excellent piece, Charlie. I had to read it a few times over to piece together the subtle nuances, and the beautiful language that took me deep into another era, maybe Victorian? Or touch of Irish? The other thing, is the subject matter, which drew me in and allowed me, in a very gentle manner, to embrace it. For nothing bothers me more than the predatory nature, and to be fair, both of men & women, here on the internet. Here, even on the wc. I like the way the author whispers firmly, into the mind of the naive and impressionable woman, that her lonely spaces may be ever expanding, and her desire to romanticize a friendship (maybe, even a real seduction ...), might be innocent, but there are real consequences at the other end of this game, namely dignity. "Virtue." And self respect.

A must read. especially here.

[El Narrador]

Every time I encounter a poet on this site who actually puts thought and effort into their work, I actually feel bad about how standoffish I tend to be towards Writers Cafe poets. Good work opens us up to other art forms; it leads us to appreciate their value, to confront our own close-mindedness, and entertain possibilities. That's what this poem has done for me. Thank you.

I'm not much of a poet myself, so I actually had to look up Petrarchan sonnets, and I see that you've stayed true to the form. Your words are very well used and evoke beautiful imagery. Unfortunately, I'm stuck wondering what the piece means exactly, and have to ask you: what exactly inspired this? I apologize for my ignorance and such a wordy review, but I didn't feel right just saying "nice work!" and leaving it at that.

Anyway, thank you again. Be well.

[charlie]

Thank you, El. I welcome your enquiry... This poem was inspired by those unfortunate attempts and occurrences of men seducing impressionable young women in any online community. Sometimes I see it happening even here, at WC. With this poem I am attempting to give people another reminder that, hey,.. people are not what they seem. Even if they happen to be saying nice things to you...

[J. Land]

Very well observed and craftily written. You can never be too careful.

[A. Amos]

Your title bought me here, good read truly enjoyed thanks for sharing...

[Kenneth The Poet]

Offbeat perfection, that's what I see here.

[LadyAnn68]

WOW....very interesting! Good writing though! Nice to meet you Charlie!