Sunday, February 14, 2016

Fortress of Solitude--By Michael Todd--United States

Fortress of Solitude 

Clever how you assess blame, right and left,
Cold, hard cynic with the eyes of a child.
So far, yet close, aware we are bereft
Of marrow, merely to share life beguiled.

Cunning how, on surface I smile. In turn,
You feign deference. Taken by surprise,
Lessons learned, ignored, choose rather to spurn
The obvious, which led to this demise.

Chasing ghosts is foolish folly. That said,
You cannot take what is not mine to give.
This bridge is too narrow for two to tread.
To forget, divine, leaves none to forgive.

Fortress of solitude, in field of dreams,
Imprisoned; illusion not what it seems.

(Author’s Note: The fortress of solitude here, is a grave.)

Michael Todd aka Myke Todd has been writing and posting stories and poetry on social networking sites since 2006. He can currently be found at his dedicated poetry site... http://myketodd.blogspot.com/

42 comments:

  1. This is heartbreaking.
    Four paragraphs define years of so manys
    relationships.

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    1. Yes, Deanna... so much can go wrong in a lifetime, and otherwise. Thanks for visiting me here, at my home away from home. It is deeply appreciated, as always.

      And, of course... Nice FRISTING !!!

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  2. So, who speaks? The Deceased or the bereaved? I could see either.

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    1. I would be quite deceased and six feet under here, Christopher. As for the bereaved, it does not appear I rated very highly in regards to that... Thanks for stopping by to pay your respects, Sir. You were always my favorite.

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  3. Love it! Full of melancholy and despair with a twist of morbid :)

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    1. Thanks, Jolene... The morbid part came naturally, when it occurred to me, I was gone and not coming back. Talk about a sobering moment... Thanks bunches for stopping by.

      Good luck with your turtles. :)

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  4. Epic are the divinity of a sacred souls being waned. Outstanding Michael!!

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    1. Thanks, Andrew... I took waning to a whole new level here, at least for me... Thanks so much for coming by, Sir.

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  5. My magician friend, who has the talent to weave magic into prose 💗

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    1. Oh, Miss Gail... You hold the ability to make me weak in the knees, be it my best or worst, or in this case, last of days.
      Thank you so much for venturing out tonight in the cold rain.

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    1. Nothing sad here, Teresa... well, other than the demise part, which is a little disheartening... otherwise, I am wise cracking to the end and past... Thanks for visiting from down under. :)

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  7. Such sad but enlighting words you put upon us... The best sentence ...you can not take what is not mine to give.... Such words spoken many times. Thank you so much for sharing! You have such a wonderful mind!

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    1. And you, Denise, are a wonderful liaison... Thank you for venturing out to the Winds... So glad you came.

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  8. An interesting piece, I thoroughly enjoyed it....thank you for sharing!

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    1. Thank you do much for saying, Ken... I appreciate your visit, Sir.

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  9. Seems I spend too much time chasing ghosts. Another excellent poem from the Sonnet Master <3

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    1. I wish sometime a ghost would chase me, Dahlia. I would slow down and make an easy target... Thanks for your very astute observations and kind words.

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  10. Heavy in the sad and yet you write what many feel but cannot put into words and so carry with them for a lifetime ...trying to justify--explain--make amends where none can (or are to ) be made.

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    1. Amends like those simply cannot be made, Demme, but it does not hurt to try, until it does...

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    2. The hurt is ours either way Myke...maybe to remind us that we are human and we can still feel deeply.

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  11. Myke, this poem is darkly magnificent. Had you not defined "fortress of solitude" it might have been more open to different interpretations. I still see in it not only aspects of my own life but those of all humanity. Your words "hard cynic with the eyes of a child" resonated forcefully and painfully. It's a wondrous poem you wrote and I am grateful to have had an opportunity to read it.

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    1. Eliza Anne... Each passage is lined with cryptic measures... Multiple meanings are intended.
      Glad you enjoyed reading this little poem of demise. I had a blast writing it.

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  12. It is a darker heavier version of your talent but I find beauty in the darkness here.

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    1. All seriousness aside, Reba... This is about as dark as it gets.
      Thank you very much for coming by today. It is great to have a visit from home.

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  13. So lovely Michael! Thanks for sharing this!

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  14. This is my first time reading you Michael and though the poem is dark it says a lot--more than is on the surface. I have to go back and read it again. Thank you.

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    1. Thank you for spending time with me today, Jo.
      The poem may be dark, but your light more than overcomes.

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  15. This fell right into what has been occupying my mind as of late. A dark sonnet such as this is a rare occurance for you, well done Sir!

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    1. I reached a low point in an otherwise dismal day, Dave, and this poem happened. I can't explain it. Still, it was kind of fun to go off the deep end.

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  16. Truly beautiful and dark and sad, Myke. This one is to me particularly special. Sometimes the reader finds bits of their own stories along the lines.

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    1. Such as it is when forecasts and rememberences are left scattered on the ground, or under.

      Thanks, Leigh. I love how you save the best for last. :)

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  17. One of the most hurtful in a relationship is dealing with deception which ultimately (and quickly) unravels the security and balance of trust.

    Nice written Michael! I love the diversity of your perspective.

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    1. When things are not as they seem in the literary world, it is entertaining. In the real world, that can have disastrous results.

      Thank you for coming by, Don.

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  18. Ah, so sad and dark. You've made me feel with this. -Kate

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    1. Thanks so much, Kate. Just be sure to come up smiling.

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  19. My apologies for being late to come and read.... I'm feeling this very deeply, my friend. I find much truth and beauty in these dark passages. The third stanza, in particular, hits this out of the ballpark. Fabulous sonnet...certainly your forte! HUGS <3

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    1. I almost ran out of ideas after the thirds stanza, Colleen, which on the surface probably does not make sense, unless you factor in, I write most sonnets from bottom to top, from end to beginning... Thanks so much for coming by, as you track and travail across country.

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  20. Very dark and lonely. The final curtain shall we say.

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  21. I wasn't sure it would add my comment but apparently it did. Fine penning, Michael, tho filled with darkness. :)

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    1. Thank you, Leta. If you see me expounding a dark side, know that I am smiling on the inside.
      Irony intrigues me.

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