deepundergroundpoetry.com
End Game
That survival course on “wreckage” you sold me:
the one with the sun-blasted cross-roads
where the dried-up river bisects the underused motorway…,
well, what else do you reckon when the tolls are so high
leaving a preference for back-tracks through the desert?
Coming to, what are you doing here anyway —
surely you’re not one of those losers who jumped … ?
You are?? Listen, people like you should be made to
clean up the mess - and that’s a friendly suggestion.
I’ll make sure you are not mentioned in Sunday prayers:
enjoy going with the flow and say hello to the sea’s edge.
By the way, I shall publish your works under “Anon”
so you don’t get too big for your boots.
You’re not the only washed-up pebble on the beach
begging for forgiveness.
Talk about a lack of talent! A mature student? No such thing.
Those with good memories
are in short supply these days;
doubled in price in a matter of months.
Let’s hope it’s all over soon —
you first.
the one with the sun-blasted cross-roads
where the dried-up river bisects the underused motorway…,
well, what else do you reckon when the tolls are so high
leaving a preference for back-tracks through the desert?
Coming to, what are you doing here anyway —
surely you’re not one of those losers who jumped … ?
You are?? Listen, people like you should be made to
clean up the mess - and that’s a friendly suggestion.
I’ll make sure you are not mentioned in Sunday prayers:
enjoy going with the flow and say hello to the sea’s edge.
By the way, I shall publish your works under “Anon”
so you don’t get too big for your boots.
You’re not the only washed-up pebble on the beach
begging for forgiveness.
Talk about a lack of talent! A mature student? No such thing.
Those with good memories
are in short supply these days;
doubled in price in a matter of months.
Let’s hope it’s all over soon —
you first.
Published 23rd Aug 2023
| Edited 27th Mar 2024
Author's Note
In millennium year 2000, aged 44, I left a very well-placed and secure career in academia, and 'dropped out' of The System in order to try and discover if there was anything 'original' in me. 'Dropping back in' in a meaningfully connected way, on my own truth-terms has been quite a challenge. I thought maybe two years; more like twenty.
(photo credit: Joshua Bond, [recently cut mimosa, which grows like weeds here in Portugal, with the bark stripped])
(photo credit: Joshua Bond, [recently cut mimosa, which grows like weeds here in Portugal, with the bark stripped])
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
likes 11
reading list entries 2
comments 15
reads 323
Commenting Preference:
The author encourages honest critique.
24th Aug 2023 1:07am
Take it from a soon to be 64-year-old who re-integrated on my terms—you will make it. Once you've tasted the definition of consumerism and greed, you need no more than the basics to live. Everything else can help ease the suffering of others.
Or that's what I believe, anyway. Nice food for thought, the good kind: zero sugar.
Or that's what I believe, anyway. Nice food for thought, the good kind: zero sugar.
26th Aug 2023 4:30pm
Reckon I am clearing away the last few distractions of our "distraction-based society" and opening the door wide enough to pop through to a new 'mansion'. I've done it before, I know how it feels when you're getting closer, ... it seems that 4 months "off-work" with illness+accident was a necessary part of the journey ... (deep breath) ... Thank you for your encouragement -- and example. Cheers, Josh.
24th Aug 2023 4:20pm
Trying to renegotiate with myself on this very same thing. I thought I had it sorted out and then Covid happened to everyone.
I'm waiting on my soul to show me the way to move forward. I know she knows,she's just being very quiet about it.
Best of everything to you Josh as you enter this new chapter. 🙏✨️🕉☮️
I'm waiting on my soul to show me the way to move forward. I know she knows,she's just being very quiet about it.
Best of everything to you Josh as you enter this new chapter. 🙏✨️🕉☮️
26th Aug 2023 4:38pm
Hi Jemac, thank you for taking a read. From my experience, patience of "waiting on my soul to show me the way" can lead to making changes in a very efficient way -- timing accounts for so much -- this contrasting with the lessons of whenever I've 'jumped into action' too quickly because of a deep inner urge to "do something" (aka 'God helps those who help themselves' ??) only then to find out later there was an easier way if only I'd waited a bit longer. It's a fine balance. I hope you find the 'sweet spot' in your own journey. Best regards, Josh.
26th Aug 2023 4:44pm
Good write. We are all becoming. What we are becoming? Either what the world makes us or what we make ourselves.Or maybe a good portion of both. One way or another I will still be full of shit trying to figure it out! Have a great day Josh
Bat
Bat
28th Aug 2023 4:09pm
Hi Bat,
thanks for commenting. I think you ask the right question -- alongside the question "what are we?" which I find a more fundamental question than "who are we?" (that's secondary to my mind).
To my mind we are either becoming freer or more enslaved, more fully human or more robot-like, more connected with our neighbours or more connected with the global surveillance system.
I'm currently reading a book by Armin Risi, a Swiss Poet/researcher-into-ancient-mysteries and former monk who studied the Vedas. It certainly has some bearing on what we are (attempting to) become as humans in our forever stumbling way.
If you happen to be into words and word-histories and the use of language in shaping how we think, you might also be interested in 'VeronikaB" on DUP and her new project on symbiopaedia.com. (I'm biased because she's my wife)
Cheers, Josh.
thanks for commenting. I think you ask the right question -- alongside the question "what are we?" which I find a more fundamental question than "who are we?" (that's secondary to my mind).
To my mind we are either becoming freer or more enslaved, more fully human or more robot-like, more connected with our neighbours or more connected with the global surveillance system.
I'm currently reading a book by Armin Risi, a Swiss Poet/researcher-into-ancient-mysteries and former monk who studied the Vedas. It certainly has some bearing on what we are (attempting to) become as humans in our forever stumbling way.
If you happen to be into words and word-histories and the use of language in shaping how we think, you might also be interested in 'VeronikaB" on DUP and her new project on symbiopaedia.com. (I'm biased because she's my wife)
Cheers, Josh.
27th Aug 2023 5:26am
Dear J,
I really enjoyed and appreciated this piece. Its insight to finding satisfaction, peace and joy while navigating life on earth is such a huge objective, to me, for anyone with a thoughtfulness about their purpose. It reminded me that sitting quietly and listening for the answer/direction in that quiet will point me in the right direction. It’s important to disclose that I only do this after I’ve gone the completely wrong way first 😏.
Terrific write. H🌷
I really enjoyed and appreciated this piece. Its insight to finding satisfaction, peace and joy while navigating life on earth is such a huge objective, to me, for anyone with a thoughtfulness about their purpose. It reminded me that sitting quietly and listening for the answer/direction in that quiet will point me in the right direction. It’s important to disclose that I only do this after I’ve gone the completely wrong way first 😏.
Terrific write. H🌷
28th Aug 2023 4:33pm
Dear H,
You are the most consistently reliable person to comment interestingly on my postings; thank you. I think that's worth some kind of prize - maybe DUP should invent one. :))
I have found that the advantage of having "gone the completely wrong way first" is that (1) it clarifies what is most likely the right way, and (2) it is like a catapault - the more the stretch in the 'wrong' direction, the more energy stored (in the elastic band of negative experience) to propel you further forward in life.
I suppose one example of this is seen in accounts of "post-traumatic growth" where people make major life-changes for the better, propelled out of a habitual destructive groove/experience (which may be inherited from parents and grand-parents) and you're the lucky one who can have a go at resolving it.
Of course, if you are extra lucky, you can have a moment of epiphany contemplating a lotus flower or walking in some beautiful woodlands with the sun flickering through the leaves - and receive similar clarity where to go next and have the energy-oomph to take the necessary steps.
Either way, I reckon that to keep moving is a key tactic. Sending you all-the-best vibes, Josh.
You are the most consistently reliable person to comment interestingly on my postings; thank you. I think that's worth some kind of prize - maybe DUP should invent one. :))
I have found that the advantage of having "gone the completely wrong way first" is that (1) it clarifies what is most likely the right way, and (2) it is like a catapault - the more the stretch in the 'wrong' direction, the more energy stored (in the elastic band of negative experience) to propel you further forward in life.
I suppose one example of this is seen in accounts of "post-traumatic growth" where people make major life-changes for the better, propelled out of a habitual destructive groove/experience (which may be inherited from parents and grand-parents) and you're the lucky one who can have a go at resolving it.
Of course, if you are extra lucky, you can have a moment of epiphany contemplating a lotus flower or walking in some beautiful woodlands with the sun flickering through the leaves - and receive similar clarity where to go next and have the energy-oomph to take the necessary steps.
Either way, I reckon that to keep moving is a key tactic. Sending you all-the-best vibes, Josh.
28th Aug 2023 4:18pm
This is hilarious!
My prediction (for whatever it's worth) you are in the process of "making it."
You're well on your way, my love.
We both are
Much further than you sometimes realise.
Happy poetic travels xxx
My prediction (for whatever it's worth) you are in the process of "making it."
You're well on your way, my love.
We both are
Much further than you sometimes realise.
Happy poetic travels xxx
28th Aug 2023 4:36pm
Thank the blesséd gods that my back-up system and chief cheerleader is well on the case 💜 🔥
28th Aug 2023 10:51pm
An engaging stream-of-consciousness poem about life choices, decisions made and roads not taken. It has a deeply personal feel.
1st Sep 2023 9:46pm
Thanks CR. It's certainly deeply personal - of all the many choices we could make, in the end we end up with one unique path - no point regretting it I guess. Cheers, Josh.
30th Aug 2023 9:07pm
2nd Sep 2023 8:30am
Thank you Carpe, and for the RL. I know the ups and downs how we create our own stories and then inhabit them - and when we get in a mess write a new script to get out of it, and move on. I guess it's the blessing/curse/responsibily of Free Will. But without it, we're just pre-determined robots.
27th Sep 2023 3:21pm
