In the Labyrinth
In the labyrinth I find comfort,
each wall but a mirror of my person
reflected in endless passages,
where both ends and beginnings
rival for prominence;
no destination, no way in, no way out,
just the ceaseless undulations of me
amid the tree of life.
I am an enigma, a baffling stigma
of what I think, linked to absurdity,
the insanity of expression my obsession,
and the darkness I abide,
the ride of my life,
til I find another way to be,
I’m spread too thin to see
that I’m far less than invincible.
Break my bones and bleed me dry,
who’ll be there to sympathize
when my reflection fades,
and the labyrinth just a haze of transparent walls,
forestalling all the steps that made me fall,
when what I am resounded strong
and now barely seen, a faded form
in a lost cause within a dream.
Standing alone, grey my beard,
the world at arms length, my labyrinth
with paths well worn, scorns me,
and steps in any direction flow to my expectations,
as my flesh gets weaker,
my wants far tamer than they used to be,
as words become the clothing of my mind,
the very shell I wear in human kind.
The labyrinth now within my mind,
the paths I seek and flee
only tweak my interest,
yet from a viewpoint not surrounded
I, finally confounded, let it lie,
and witness all I need to know,
not throw myself to the wolves, instead
I now have no reflection at all.
In the labyrinth of my mind, I am comforted,
both entrapment and freedom have their guile,
and I often walk amid the maze
to exacerbate my ire,
but in calm repose the fire serves
to remind me I’m still here,
so I’ll follow all those paths that are sincere,
and laugh at every dead-end wall I near.
Tony DeLorger © 2018
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Nicely penned and interesting verse, Tony. You usually are not so negative about who or where you are in life, yet, this is a good read. Take care dear poet.
Truth lies within the light and the dark, and it is often therapeutic to seek balance and expression in both sides. The labyrinth is that inner place where doubts and past meld in a reality of change. Glad you appreciated the work. Cheers!
Yes, you are right, Tony. I must have not been all here earlier – sorry I missed that most important aspect of seeking balance. x
Nothing to apologize for Phyllis, we are all so attuned to the’right/wrong’ paradigm, and in essence there is nothing bad about either, from a real spiritual perspective. That is a religious morality ingrained in us. The truth is we have positive and negative within our whole, and not recognizing it or stifling it is bad for our overall balance. Take care.
An interesting perspective of being caught up in ones own labyrinth, a sense of entrapment. A poet as deep in thought as you Tony can feel this way. You have a very dynamic active mind, I often feel the same, being as reclusive as I am, I live in my own word it seems. My own prison of sorts, a labyrinth in the making. Like a house of mirrors, each reflection of myself is a different self, no where to hide. It’s from these positions were in Tony that often lead us to our creative state. The light and dark determines my mood. I often feel like that proverbial mouse running about in it’s maze. Trying to find a way out. Your creative juices were certainly flowing in this poetic gem my friend. Bravo
Yes, I felt sure you’s relate to this one Vincent. The more intense the differences between lightness and darkness, the more intensely we think and express ourselves. Our moods indeed lead us to each piece and be it venting or cathartic, it heals us and opens doors, hopefully, for those who read. Thank you my friend.
Oh I like it Tony. True indeed the balance of everything in our minds is a delicate creature, but to openly accept this labrynith of thought is almost like some next level being stuff. I like it. Nice work.
So pleased you enjoyed it Paul. Much appreciated my friend. Cheers!