A potent truth

A potent truth

Friday, April 3, 2009

Selfish Want

I wrote this today actually and I am so proud of myself. Not the subject of the poem, but myself. The poem itself is going to make me look badly I'm afraid, but then I wouldn't be a very honest person if I were unwilling to show my flaws. This is a rather profound piece on my part really. It says a lot about myself and my own conception of morality, of right and wrong. I enjoy my random moments of self-discovery and introspection. I like epiphanies and it is nice to have one now and again even if they are about myself and not some other problem with society or something more important. I hope all of you enjoy my poem even if it doesn't make complete sense to you.

Selfish Want

I want it all.
I want to eat the whole world.
I want to swallow the oceans,
I want to grind limestone between my teeth.
I want to suck it dry,
I want to take all that is on offer.
I want to consume its abundance,
Until there is nothing left.

I want it all.
I want wealth,
I want power,
I want money,
I want fame.
I want everything I shouldn't
I want it all for all of the wrong reasons.
I want to be the morally blind human.
I want to do what I want;
no consequences.

I want it all.
I want it, but dare not pursue it.
I want to deny my better nature.
I want to abandon morality.
I want to be a social shrew.
I want to abandon all that I am.
I want to do things the easy way.
I want to, but I can’t, I am who I am.
I want to, but I am me
What I want is not who I am.

I want it all.

5 comments:

Mandi said...

The first notes of O Fortuna started playing and I read "I want it all", and I thought it was a commercial for The Tutors. ;-)
I think everyone feels this way deep down, but it would certainly be a crappy world if most people did not head their "better nature". That is a great poem, and really leaves you thinking about morality verses selfishness.

Anonymous said...

It's refreshing to see a woman write this sort of poem. Men, of course, "dare to pursue it" on a daily basis, on the presumption that they'll get, maybe .1% of what they *ought* to. Oh, and if a man had written this, there would be one more stanza about all the women, women, women... I admire those who stick their necks out. Good for you. Have you ever read Marlowe's Tamburlaine or Dr. Faustus?

In the end, which *is* the easy way?

Constance said...

Thank you so much poemshape! I have on occasion gotten gutsy and written poems like this one. I haven't read Tamburlaine, but Dr. Faustus I did read some time back. As for the "easy way" well, I suppose that all depends upon how you look at it!

Wanda said...

I am not usually big fan of poetry, but your poem, Lament of the Lonely, struck a cord with me. I really enjoyed it and just wanted to let you know. I truly admire the way that you "handle" Jacob being gone so much. I also admire Jacob for being the man that he is! You are very lucky. Hang in there, someday you will have all that you want.

Constance said...

Wanda, I'm so glad that you enjoyed my poem, especially since you aren't really that into poetry. I am so very flattered! I don't know that there is much to admire about how I handle Jacob's absence. It is a one day at a time thing. lol! As for admiring Jacob, that I get. He is my hero and I try so hard to let him know that!