Poetry – Compromise – That is the question.

This is another type of poem ripped from the guts of my Reality Dreams book. I think it was very influenced by Bob Dylan. I was struggling at the time with how to fit in to this juggernaut of a society. We were meant to be slotted into place. I did not want to be slotted into place anywhere.

Compromise was the dirtiest word. There could be no compromise.

I am older now. Every day is a compromise with someone or something. You learn to make your compromises on your own terms. I wonder ho0w much of your essence you lose in the process?

Compromise – That is the question

Compromise – that is the question.

The iron judge smiles woodenly.

I grin.

‘Who is it that would stand against all evil?’ He asks.

‘I’, said Cock Robin. ‘I will stand.’

To make a stand you have to possess a label

Once labelled a thing is confined.

Once confined it escapes or rots.

But in dreams….

I

I apeman

Live free

I swing

I grab

I take

Courage – that is the question.

Who has the courage to live?

‘I’, said Cock Robin. ‘I will take life!’

Courage turns to bravery

And dies creating a lie

To achieve a dream.

Here the land runs with water.

It is green and fresh.

It is alive.

I run.

I laugh and see no shadows.

Who can stand in the path of true light?

Man??

I gather

I catch

I run

I

I

I.

Cheese is the question.

But this milk has gone sour.

I smile.

Who will eat cheese?

‘I’, said the mouse.

But it was a trap.

‘This contract is yours’

Eighty year.

Is that alright?

Yes. It’s a long life.

But what is a contract?

This is my private life – so very public.

Cock Robin is dead!

Opher 1973