Burn

What powers held me in this tortured love Shame and excitement danced around me Grasped by the cunning illusions, deceiving My void self image, coercing my Vanities until I believed the insideous lies You robbed my soul, knowing Your presence was sealed with death's kiss Tossing and turning in the night I let you back in no matter the cost Oh, and this is good - I pretended not to be hostage to your Cunning facade of empty promises Even letting you linger in the presence Of my most cherished posessions As they also became sick in your stench Finally, enough denial and nearly destroyed Still strong enough to rid myself of you I see you for what you really are, a drag Killer of desire, coaxing many Also blinded by your evil In the last hours of whatever life I have left And the coffin is near, I'll wonder Why I let you hold me for so long

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Mustapha Mohammed

Date: 10/24/2013 5:49:00 AM

Brilliant Karen. This poem really demonstrates the depth of skills you have as a poet my friend. This goes to my favorites so smile. :)

Karen Anglesey
Date: 10/24/2013 1:07:00 PM

Mustapha, so pleased to read your glowing comments. Thank you :)

Kelly Deschler

Date: 9/6/2013 3:27:00 PM

Fantastic poem, Karen!...At first I thought this poem was about lost love, until I read the last line!....Glad you are free from addiction. Never let anything hold you back! Well done!....Thank you for the nice comments, once again. I appreciate it very much!

Karen Anglesey
Date: 10/22/2013 11:34:00 AM

A belated thankyou for commenting. Much appreciated

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 9/2/2013 9:08:00 AM

I think I read this one before and it's still very good seeing it again. I think I have seen so many of your poems. I am not able to find a new one to comment on very quickly, and I need to get to the gym. Thanks so much for seeing my poems recently. Luv, Andrea

Karen Anglesey
Date: 10/22/2013 11:33:00 AM

Thank you Andrea

Just That Archaic Poet

Date: 8/19/2013 10:04:00 PM

I related to another poet this evening that I was not a fan of "free-verse", and I think the reason being was because 99.9% of what I've read has been utter garbage. This is the second free-verse piece I've read tonight that has made me rethink my aversion. Great piece. FINALLY! I found a sanctuary of truly talented people who are enlightening me; thank you again for sharing!

Karen Anglesey
Date: 8/19/2013 11:02:00 PM

This is an exciting place and I would love to share some inspiration with you anytime. Thank you for the great comments :)

Sandra Adams

Date: 8/18/2013 8:37:00 PM

I thought this was about an abusive relationship at first until I saw your note... very powerful piece...and congrats on licking the habit! :)

Karen Anglesey
Date: 8/18/2013 9:39:00 PM

Thanks for your detailed comment. Much appreciated :)

Karen Anglesey
Date: 8/18/2013 9:38:00 PM

Thanks for your de

Stephen Kilmer

Date: 7/27/2013 10:07:00 PM

Ah, yes the coffin nails. What a battle. Good for you and what a great write about the struggle. I gave them up several years ago. Not so tough for me because I only smoked when I drank. And I don't do that anymore (though I still think about it). Great write. You are the best! Kilmer

Karen Anglesey
Date: 7/27/2013 10:39:00 PM

Thank you very much. :)

Keith Bickerstaffe

Date: 7/4/2013 2:18:00 PM

Powerful and compelling! Fabulous imagery and phrasing. As someone who REALLY should quit smoking, I will return to your poem often in my attempt to conquer MY addiction... Thank you. Best wishes, Keith

Karen Anglesey
Date: 7/4/2013 2:38:00 PM

Keith, good luck in your quest. I found Orange Tic Tacs instead of a cigarette were helpful. I kept tons of them in my purse and the grandkids always wanted them. Now I am known as Tic Tac Grandma...thanks for commenting !

Kabuteng P.Ink K.

Date: 6/30/2013 10:54:00 AM

You captured my attention with this one, Karen-- I honestly thought this was about someone, and then I read your note at the end and I had to read your poem again from that perspective. This time around, I even caught your references to smoking. Brilliantly done if you ask me. Such a meaningful read and I am very happy for you for getting yourself out of this addiction! Thank you as well for reading my poem and leaving such kind words.

Karen Anglesey
Date: 6/30/2013 2:20:00 PM

wow bini, thank you for such gracious and in depth comments. So very much appreciated :)

Bidhu Patnaik

Date: 6/24/2013 10:05:00 AM

A brilliant personification of addiction. It takes a strong mind and a determined heart to break free of any addiction. While reading this poem I could feel the strength and the power of mind combined with words. I am inspired....Bidhu.

Karen Anglesey
Date: 6/24/2013 8:02:00 PM

Bidhu, thank you for the generous comment :)

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 6/24/2013 8:39:00 AM

Dropping by to say good morning.

Karen Anglesey
Date: 6/24/2013 8:02:00 PM

Hello Richard, good evening :)

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 6/23/2013 9:35:00 PM

Hello Karen, thank you for all the lovely comments... and yes, i can write on many subject... except this one... I pulled up a poem called "nicotine" sometime last year... but, my poem is no were as clever or truthful as yours... I forgot why I wrote the poem. LOL, anyways, I read your comment on my comment on the bottom... it's about my son. ATM, we are not talking do to this nasty burning sensation. love this one again... LINDA

Karen Anglesey
Date: 6/24/2013 7:59:00 PM

Linda, thank you for your detailed comments and sharing your thoughts :)

John Posey

Date: 6/23/2013 4:37:00 PM

Karen, I've been tobacco free for years. It was tough going until I gave the habit up to the one who took away the desire for smoking... Praise God, He made it easy to quit....Jake

Karen Anglesey
Date: 6/24/2013 7:57:00 PM

Jake, Yay ! glad you quit and thank you for sharing :)

Demetrios Trifiatis

Date: 6/23/2013 3:00:00 PM

It is easier for someone to conquer a mountain but very difficult to conquer one's passions! Excellent poem! Congratulations for your victory!

Karen Anglesey
Date: 6/24/2013 7:57:00 PM

Demetrio, such an amazing way to describe the subject thank you :)

Carrie Richards

Date: 6/23/2013 8:50:00 AM

Hooray for you, if you have been able to rid yourself of this cunning destroyer of families! I know it is a difficult challenge, but I admire everyone who is able to break the chains of habit and addiction. I toast to your good health! A Thank you for checking my poetry.....I'm so grateful !!

Karen Anglesey
Date: 6/23/2013 9:17:00 AM

Carrie, I am elated by your comments and really enjoy your poetry. :)

Donna Jones

Date: 6/22/2013 8:03:00 PM

Hi Karen...so glad I popped over to read your latest poem...so many people in my family have died slow horrible deaths from this habit...and it took my husband two years to quit but he did...and I am so happy for you and your loved ones too, so they will have you around a long long time!

Karen Anglesey
Date: 6/22/2013 9:50:00 PM

Donna, thank you very much! I feel very blessed and glad you found the meaning to be relevant :)

Debbie Guzzi

Date: 6/22/2013 7:16:00 PM

How like love any sort of addiction is! You are such a strong writer! [Re: The Sowing I just tire of men's deaths being valued over woman's death, and our pain being held in such low esteem. I was recently even told, basically because I was a woman and small, that I couldn't be brave, only men like firemen and policeman understood bravery, what bull, and they [men] still talk it!] Light & Love

Richard Lamoureux
Date: 6/24/2013 8:45:00 AM

When you think in terms of they you perpetuate the myth of differences. In the end bravery is a human experience undefined by gender. The emotions are not exclusive to either gender. When we seperate on lines of sex, race, culture all humanity is marginalized.

Karen Anglesey
Date: 6/22/2013 9:49:00 PM

Debbie, I appreciate your comments and thank you for the explanation with regard to your poem Sowing. I understood women were the subject of such demeaning treatment and I appreciate knowing why you wrote so powerfully about the subject :)

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 6/22/2013 5:26:00 PM

I see Chris loved your poem here too.It truly is amazing!! And I just came back for a second look.

Karen Anglesey
Date: 6/22/2013 5:39:00 PM

Andrea, thank you !

Duke Beaufort

Date: 6/19/2013 5:21:00 PM

It's also interesting that smoking is used in so many films. The directors love it for some reason. I frankly can't stand even a trace of smoke. We recently had a discussion what it was like to be in the last row of the non-smoking section when smoking was allowed by the airlines. Anyway, I want to thank you profusely for the comment you left for me. It meant a lot. Be well.

Karen Anglesey
Date: 6/22/2013 10:38:00 AM

Duke, I abhor the smell and can't tolerate being around it. Some people quit and then say they kind of like the smell once in a while. I am not one of those people. Thank you for commenting !

Eileen Manassian

Date: 6/19/2013 10:00:00 AM

WOW! So proud of you for having the strength to quit. It can't be easy...there are so many different forms of addiction out there....accountability partners help! I must admit...like Isaiah I had NO idea where you were going and thought...wow such strength of emotion...how horrid can the guy be? Well, cigarettes are that horrid and more. I applaud you!

Karen Anglesey
Date: 6/22/2013 10:37:00 AM

Eileen, yes it felt a little horrid to look back at the past and rid myself of the disgusting thing once and for all . Thank you for your meaningful review :)

Isaiah Zerbst

Date: 6/19/2013 9:54:00 AM

Impressive poem! I read it through the first time, rather perplexed as to what was going on, then after reading the note, everything made perfect sense, so I had to read it again to see how the verses felt. It was quite an experience! PS. Your latest visit was so kind. I can't thank you enough!

Karen Anglesey
Date: 6/22/2013 10:35:00 AM

Isaiah, thank you very much for the insightful comments. I very much appreciate your generosity!

Allan Koven

Date: 6/19/2013 9:19:00 AM

Wonderful imagery. Cleverly written. You have the knack, Karen.

Karen Anglesey
Date: 6/22/2013 10:34:00 AM

Allan, thank you very much for the positive comments. :)

Joyce Johnson

Date: 6/19/2013 8:43:00 AM

Great writing. You really held my interest. I was so relieved that it was a bad habit and not a hideous love affair. Great work. Thanks for reading and commenting. Love, Joyce

Karen Anglesey
Date: 6/22/2013 10:34:00 AM

Hi Joyce, thank you for reading my work. I appreciate your comments :)

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 6/19/2013 7:04:00 AM

Good morning I enjoyed reading this one again, it is an exceptional piece.

Karen Anglesey
Date: 6/19/2013 7:14:00 AM

Richard, thank you for stopping by again. I appreciate your comments because I almost thought it was too dramatic to leave it the way it is. :)

Painted Hunter

Date: 6/17/2013 1:57:00 PM

Wow...I feel this one for sure. I started smoking when i was 12, was a regular smoker by 14, and didn't quit until I turned 30...I promised my wife that I would...and, hard as it was for me, I did.

Karen Anglesey
Date: 6/17/2013 3:59:00 PM

Caleb, thank you for the great comment and sharing your experience. Addiction makes us slaves to bad things. Glad you overcame the habit :)

Len Gasun

Date: 6/17/2013 8:58:00 AM

This is a stunning write of yours my dear friend Karen. I don't smoke but my dad did when he was still alive that's why he got sick & left me. This is an outstanding poem which I love & has enjoyed to read. You're great poet as well. I hope this will also be read by many esp. the chain smokers;)). I'll fave this one & u (not as a repay of my poem ok) i really love it. It's my honor that you fave my poem. I didn't know it's on top l00. Thanks for informing me. love lots & big hugs, Leonora

Karen Anglesey
Date: 6/17/2013 3:57:00 PM

Leonora, thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience with the affects of smoking. Any addiction is terrible, but smoking was the one that got me until I was finally able to say no more :)