Sight Unseen

On the ocean of consciousness,
sheer white cliffs
pronounce the presence
of the parts of ourselves
that we choose to see.

But our iceberg
does not bob on the waves,
but rather, rides through them,
ballasted as it is by
a looming gargantuan counterweight
hulking massively in
the sullen depths.

Our bright little sea-island
poses proudly,
sporting a vacuous grin;
eyes without sight,
thoughts without depth.

It is the puppet-state of the mind.
That which is sensed but unseen
is really pulling the strings.
Dare to dissent, or
to know too much,
and you'll soon find yourself
riding a desperate nicotine rush
as the sights are lined up
on the handkerchief
pinned to your breast

Reviews

[Great Aunt Astri]

Interesting poem. Clever metaphors, the white cliffs, the iceberg and the little sea island. To me this poem is about the conscious, that which we can see, and the unconscious, that which is hidden. And yes, I think it is the unconscious that governs (with) us,and is 'pulling the strings.' But I think the secret is to come to terms with the unconscious, often considered our 'dark' side. I think it was JUNG (the psychologist) who said we must make friends with our 'dark side' (I think he called it 'the shadow') then perhaps, maybe, those tears on the handkerchief, might be tears of laughter and joy!!!! Then perhaps, instead of feeling that we are a puppet to the 'unseen', we could celebrate it as , what? Something in collaboration with us? An inner being? A friend? Something that needs to be loved and understood?
Oh, your clever poem has given much food for thought!

[Zugzwang]

Thanks for reading and thanks for the thoughtful review. The poem is indeed about the unconscious and its relationship with the concious mind. I agree that we need to befriend our demons as they are, after all, a part of us. However, I often write poetry when I'm grumpy, annoyed or otherwise out of sorts and this piece is a good example of that...it doesn't actually represent my world view, just an aspect of it. Glad you lijed my cranky poem!

[Great Aunt Astri]

Yes, I realised that it was not necessarily your world view. I was just commenting on the content, which I thought was very clever.

[Zugzwang]

All good. I liked the idea of tears of laughter and joy on the hankerchief. I guess poetry can be a means of befriending the dark side as well as a healthy sense of humour. I like to think I participate in both. Thanks for reading.

[Gaia Octavia]

I friggin love your writing.

As one who occasionally dives the frigid depths, I can say that I much prefer a vapid picnic on the cliffs.

Beautiful imagery and sculpting of phrases; an artist at work.

[Zugzwang]

Hi Gaia,
I suffer for my art lol
(Punctuation is not needed for lols)
I liked this one too, and definitely prefer to frolic on the little sea island but I guess it has a way of turning upside down and we both know how much fun that is!
I changed my name too. Can't believe zugzwang wasn't taken. Its the best word ever.
Thanks for the superlative review!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

like the Titanic...there are unseen things in life's waters...and when we hit them, we either survive or sink...
and we have that one last smoke before saying goodbye to our existence, knowing we should have been more aware...

j.

[Zugzwang]

Yeah, a lot like that! The more I get to know myself, the more I realise I don't know and the unknowns are often out of sight...and its the unknowns that get ya. Thanks for reading, j.