The Puppet Perspective

You say sad, I say reflective.

You think I'm sinking--that's a matter of perspective.

 

Your ocean is my armour; I wear it to stay sane,

Your desert my soul's playground, your 'real-world' my mind's bane.

 

Why is 'normal' so important? What makes sanity so great?

All the Einsteins and Newtons had their own oddball gait.

 

Does my capriciousness offend you? Do my quirks plague your heart?

Should I bind tight my whims? Bloody murder my art?

 

My 'sickness' ain't sick; it's just who I am.

If that doesn't please you, well, frankly my dear, I don't give a damn.

Reviews

[Avoiry]

Love it. We have spent so much time defining norms ,good, bad, life. In truth everything is a matter of perspective. Good and evil were created terms to define a concept not any specific occurance. We wouldn't put ourselves in so many boxes if we realized that every thing is relative
"You think I'm sinking--that's a matter of perspective."
love this line, this is a topic i'd rant on so i'll leave it at this. I love it , well written, good point, Very objective.

[Matt Sayer]

Thanks Lindsey! There is far too much conflict over preferences that are utterly harmless; why should happiness and success have but one path? Perspective is born from within, and cannot be imposed from without. :)

[Daffy]

Well if you know of autism, you have hit something here. Of course all the great minds were in some way autistic and it is all a matter of perspective. The great men and women of science were not normal, and yet they were great....if you put it in perspective. I guess, I like you as you are. Well written Matt.

[Matt Sayer]

Thank you very much Daffy! I have known people who suffer from autism, and it is indeed the crux of altered perspective and disparate mind-state. It is just so unfortunate that people often immediately categorise 'different' as 'wrong'. Acceptance of variance is still far too lacking in our society.

[Daffy]

My youngest has Aspergers and I am also autistic to a degree, which is why I am different (I'm told).

[Matt Sayer]

My best wishes to you and your youngest. It must be incredibly difficult to deal with people who do not understand your situation.

[Daffy]

Thanks Matt, your understanding is surprising in one so young.

[Matt Sayer]

Thank you Daffy, your words warm my heart. I try my best to educate myself on all perspectives, and empathise rather than demonise. :)

[bobc]

MS...I'll have to disagree...if real insanity is the alternative, it's highly over-rated. Also, I've never seen 'normal' and wonder if it's simply unknowable. I don't think you're sad or sick or odd or quirky...capricious, maybe, but I'd have to know you better.

I like you're writing...it's kind of playful really. As a poem, I'd only suggest to watch the rhythm/pace/metre of the lines more closely. They seem to move about in this one. Thanx...bobc

[Matt Sayer]

Thanks for the advice Bob! I do have to pay more attention to the metre of my lines; I tend to fragment between stanzas as my mind wanders. :)

[bobc]

Our minds always wander a little...in fact, entire poems have emerged from some of my wanderings. If you're fond of the rhyming form, you will have to pay more attention as you've put it...rhymes tend to demand that from us.

[Alia ZJ.]

'...Bloody murder my art?'
This, to me, was the strongest punch.
The whole piece was well-penned, Matt. Way to go. :)

[Matt Sayer]

Thank you Ghalia! :) I liked that line too :P

[Winter Renee Vineyard]

You're brilliant! Lol, I love this....the flow is amazing!

[Matt Sayer]

Thanks Renee! :) I can't speak to brilliance... but I'm glad you like it!

[Anna Blackburn]

Lovely choice of vocabulary and structure. I love the last line! The honesty and charisma of this poem really beseeches the reader. Digging deep once again with a wondrous poem.

[Matt Sayer]

Thank you so much Anna! :) Did you catch the reference in the last line?

[Michelle N. H.]

Haha, I love this. What a perfect ending. We are who we are and shouldn't change for anyone merely to feel accepted. Individuality all the way, absolutely :)

[Matt Sayer]

Thanks Michelle! :) Personality and identity are our most prized possessions.

[Anand Sehgal]

yes, everything is a matter of perspective. wisely written piece.

[Matt Sayer]

Thank you Anand! :)

[Susannah Rae]

This piece has such a beautiful gait, such steady flow. I read it out loud three times and loved it more each time. I love the juxtapositions throughout. Here's to the weirdos and oddballs!

[Matt Sayer]

Thanks Susannah! Freaks and geeks forever! :)

[Lyn Anderson]

Well well well said, I have not a correction nor an objection but simply much affection for your words so cleverly placed in my head.:)

[Matt Sayer]

Thanks KL :)

[Daniel Sala]

Marvellous, the metaphors add to the meaning, and the confidence of the piece is very positive, and the rhymes flow well.
(To be or not to be? - I'll be, they can act!)

[Matt Sayer]

Thanks Daniel! :)