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The Arc of Joy (*warning explicit language)
Once upon a dream of mine
When hopeful was an easy game
Life was difficult of course
Rolled off my shoulders just the same
I’d claim dominion of my days
Each step I took with added spring
When I fucked up and shit went wrong
What else was there to do but sing
Obliged, the world starts leaking in
Finds ingress through tiny cracks
With help of bitterness so cold
Quick, expanding frost attacks
You hardly feel it chip away
Safe within the spring of life
But always known the dark unseen
Time would hammer you with strife
Until one day you hit the ground
Regret and acid in your veins
It becomes a thing you are
The toxic habits you maintain
I lived that way for far too long
The footings weakened under bridge
Phantom chisel, winter ice
Worked behind a false visage
One fateful day it all came down
Like iron in distress I cried
I’m sure it lasted several years
While searching for the reasons why
I only found them in myself
My fear of losing that control
Ghosts of things I never had
Guilt from things I never stole
My crimes I carried in a bag
They weighed a lot and kept me low
Kept me ever searching for
Things apparitions never know
Time requires all things fade
Wiped clean beneath the moon and tides
It starts to show the little hints
The truths you let get lost inside
Slowly then the joy returns
And once again you greet the days
Still have lots of stress and toil
But coping in more healthy ways
I’m good if that’s the best it gets
The world’s not perfect as could be
Tons of things I cannot change
And zero of those things are me
Comments
Candlewitch
Mon, 2022-06-27 07:18
dear Rosewood Apothecary,
in this line: (But) rolled off shoulders just the same remove (but) and rephrase to:
rolled off (my) shoulders just the same add (my)
add to your title: Arc Of Joy (warning, adult rated) or something of that nature, lol.
In this line: remove the word (but) it is unnecessary. (But then the world starts leaking in)
remove (But) where it starts a sentence (you don't need them) same thing with (And)
my favorite lines are:
And then one day you hit the ground
Regret and acid in your veins
It becomes a thing you are
The toxic habits you maintain
I like them because they are a warning...
I also like the smooth flowings of your poem there are lots of life lessons for anyone paying attention...Nice!
*smiles and sunshine :) Cat
*
When someone reads your work
And responds, please be courteous
And reply in kind, thanks.
Rosewood Apothecary
Mon, 2022-06-27 08:17
Grammar
Yeah I use and, but, or and weak modifiers as place holders but I always forget. I repeat the “and then” three times I think. Thanks for the editorial.
Tim
Words.unwritten
Mon, 2022-06-27 08:52
I really love this... the
I really love this... the constant reminder of past decisions and mistakes can haunt you ..but never change..or forget your battles .. I like the last few lines through best xx
Rosewood Apothecary
Mon, 2022-06-27 20:27
Thanks unwritten
Took Cat’s advice and got rid of some things. It’s more interesting now I think. I flagged it for foul language cuz I’m a potty mouth. My poetry is not reflective of my daily job site chatter. I really like this one. And I really appreciate the gift of your input.