~Life in abstention

_“If I had no sense of humor, I would long ago have committed suicide.” Mahatma Gandhi

  hung your suicidal smile around our necks,

   branded the skin, tucked it in shirt pockets

took a leap off the ledge of abysmal distortion,

  sucked the marrow from the bones 

                   of shattered bystanders  

choking on the bloody tears of life in abstention

   dripping in assimilation's destined antagonism 

feasting on the afterlife's apocalyptic rewards

   remaining ashes scattered on epic wind's archives

        as bookmarked collectible's blinded keepsakes

written in braille contrition

                    of recall's token heavy heart 

Author's Note

Reviews

[AprilRN1210]

Holy Hell... this reached out and punched me in the gut... I am honestly speechless.. This one hurt... Makes me want to reach out and give you the biggest hug ever... seriously.... so powerful and intense... the pain sears into our soul and brands our hearts forever leaving us to choke on our tears and blindly try to rustle through the ashes to find our way out of the black hole that we find ourselves in.. but that light is up there, may not seem like it sometimes.. but it is... damn... this one hit me hard... sorry still reeling over here ma'am...

[Frieda P]

I've been pretty much speechless the past few days, add insult to injury and this is what happens. Thanks so much April, I knew you'd fully understand where I was coming from. xo

[AprilRN1210]

I can only imagine... throwing gasoline on burning open wound.... and....unfortunately I do girl... you punched me hard... powerful dark magic in this one.... ((big squishy southern sassy hugs))... come on... lean in....

[Frieda P]

Oh good, I could sure use one of those, does a southern iced tea come with? MWAH! xo

[AprilRN1210]

duuuuuuh!!! but be careful... I might've spiked it... lol
but the disco ball is in the trunk.... the rabbit is on the hood and the dirty bird is spinnin the tunes in your absence.... might wanna fix that before he is yakkin in your head again....

[Frieda P]

Doh yourself, I was counting on it! I'm chuffed with the disco ball, the dirty birds, not so much...haha

[AprilRN1210]

lmao.... hatin' on the dirty bird... fine... he's fired... get your butt on the cd player then ma'am... rock me a tune... make it SASSY.... and I know you were.. uhhh hello.. great minds....

[Frieda P]

Ha it was fine the first few times, after 50 it was way too much & starts to grate on your nerves ;)

[AprilRN1210]

awwwww... it still makes me chuckle... guess, I got more patience for the bird...

[Frieda P]

Patience is a virtue I don't possess muchly. .....

[Sophy Freebirds]

Freida this just made me cry!! It hurt a lot!! :(... there are some who can't take it anymore.they have gone through much. Your words are so heartfelt.i know it hurts you to write this.But a wounded heart bleeds beautiful words.. The words took me to a whole total different level.i was once on a verge to lose my bestie, i will now show her your poem.I guess you are in gloomy mood.But this mood gives us wonderful poems.Hope you smile soon chica.miss that sizzling and smiling doll. XX.. :)

~Sophy

[Tai Ryens]

The tension of a taken life taking its tolls on the survivors is heavy and grievous in this piece, and you convey the mourning of the aforementioned life very poignantly. Life in abstention, refusing to take part of life and avoiding it altogether, only to have the loved ones gather around and illustrate the world with memories of the now gone, ensuring that they will never be forgotten. Well done and poignant piece indeed.

[kublakhan27]

Sorry it took me a bit to get to this one love...connection issues, plus a few minutes to gather my thoughts, as much as I can gather them after a piece such as this...between your poem, the quote, and the song, I feel like going back to bed...I am overwhelmed with emotion as I try to take in these words...it's taken me like five minutes just to type this much, let alone comment on the poem...I knew this was gonna be a sensitive day...the first line was like a piano landing on me...these words are just so disturbingly real...you bear your soul on a regular basis, but this one feels like you're taking it off like a piece of clothing in a heat wave and putting it under a cold shower...this is a phenomenal poem Frieda...I join April in giving you the biggest, tightest hugs I can..xo

[Cory Barrett]

19 years old and I recall the night like watching actions on screen. As though my mind was not connected to my eyes, but an existential omnipotent eye in the corner of bathroom. Filling a coffee mug full of little submarines, and swallowing them down with a tall glass of guilt enriched consequence.

This is night i will never forget. This is night i will never repeat.

Some attempts are not completed. Some get a second chance. In that second chance we realize how we affect people, and who it is that affects us. The second chancers are the lucky ones, but we are the anomaly.

Really good writing here, it opened up some old wounds, let them bleed a little bit. Helped me remember never to forget.

[Frieda P]

My word Cory, I have chills reading this, so thankful you weren't successful, wish I could say that for a few more souls that took that leap in utter desperation. Thanks so much for sharing your sad story with us...could make a difference in someone's decision.

[Matching Socks]

Frieda, this is such a sad sad piece wrapped in such beautiful words.
I think you've had a rough week sweetheart. xo
You'll write something cheery soon no doubt but these words are a good reality check for all of us.

[Frieda P]

Hasn't been pretty, you have an extra room at the inn? Thanks so much Ana Sophia, muchly appreciate your kind words. xo

[Matching Socks]

You are always welcome Frieda! I'm back at home now packed to go camping, but it's raining so might have to delay. Care to join us in the tent? Under the stars. :)

[Frieda P]

Oh sheesh, last time I went camping, it was raining like mad, I was pregnant and stuck in a tent...you know what I mean, I think I might pass. :)

[Matching Socks]

LOL. :-)
That conjures a funny image. A prego little Frieda. xx

[Frieda P]

Oh geez, not so little, I'm like a wee piggie when preggers. ;) Thank gawd I lose it running around like a maniac. :)

[Matching Socks]

Yeah, all that chasing around, bike riding, walks. Thank god for kids, I should cancel my gym membership... :)

[Frieda P]

Nooooo, don't do that, the only places to hide are the gym and the bathroom if you're lucky. ;)

[Matching Socks]

Lol! Ok. I'll keep it.

[Frieda P]

Smart move, as muchly as we adore our kids to pieces, even saints need a break haha

[John Alexander McFadyen]

My Lady you never cease to write such heartfelt and poignant histories about this sad, sad event. Brittle metaphors that screach like finger nails down the blackboard.

[Frieda P]

I was trying to write something bright and cherry but my ink refused after hearing that Robin Williams died of asphyxiation....just brought me back to that horrid imagery and dark place again...I guess I'll always be stuck there in one way or another. Nails screeching, I guess so, thanks John.