Disappearance, or: Endurance

Poetry Partners #38

‘My Disappearance’ by Susi Bocks of ‘I Write Her’

it’s my nature
to withdraw
when unbalanced
for no reason at all

i retreat to a safe space
like bear cubs denning
i’m not languishing
i’m dormant with melancholy

seeking shelter protects my soul
giving respite and comfort
surrounded by nothing but time
it revives me

Susi Bocks: https://iwriteher.com/

A double acrostic blank verse poem by ben Alexander of ‘The Skeptic’s Kaddish’

Dormant with melancholy, defeated,
I seek shelter like a wounded yeti;
surround myself with simple memories;
and hibernate. Depleted by drama,
paws torn in frantic escape, I'm a pup-
py, fearful, distrustful, fitful in sleep.
Everywhere, even within me, foes lie,
anticipating my imminent plea.
Respite's always brief. Would I had armor
against the greed, gossip and media
nonsense. Ultimately, I always bow in
concession, perhaps the greatest cynic
ever. That's how I can stand to surface.

Let’s write poetry together!

When it comes to partnership, some humans can make their lives alone – it’s possible. But creatively, it’s more like painting: you can’t just use the same colours in every painting. It’s just not an option. You can’t take the same photograph every time and live with art forms with no differences.
–Ben Harper (b. 1969)

Would you like to create poetry with me and have a completed poem of yours featured here at the Skeptic’s Kaddish? I am very excited to have launched the ‘Poetry Partners’ initiative and am looking forward to meeting and creating with you… Check it out!

List of Poetry Partners

49 thoughts on “Disappearance, or: Endurance”

such wonderful longing and ideas of comfort, especially in the underlying sense of letting something loose and discovering at the same time. I love these poems, wonderful!

ben Alexander June 23, 202219:50 Reply

💘 thanks, Amelia 💘

Cynicism helps one survive. It’s like a looking glass with a blunt view. 🙂

ben Alexander January 29, 202219:18 Reply

💚 Terveen 💚

Wow Ben, you list seems to be growing!

ben Alexander January 21, 202210:55 Reply

Thanks, Robert ~ it’s been a blast!

BTW, please feel free to call me ‘David’… that’s my first name. The word ‘ben’ just means ‘son of’ in Hebrew… I know my pen name is confusing- I’m sorry about that!

❤
David
1. Robert J Jr. January 21, 202222:51 Reply
  
  No problem David.
  1. ben Alexander January 22, 202220:13 Reply
    
    💚 Robert 💚 ~ I don’t know if you’re much into writing poetry (I know you’re into photography), but if you’d like to submit a piece for me to respond to, I’d be honored!
    
    Sincerely,
    David

I love reading the alternating imagery in the lines and falling in love with the story between both poems!

ben Alexander January 20, 202217:44 Reply

💜💞 Jaya 💞💜 ~ thanks!

-David

Delightful!! The double acrostic is so good – with some difficult letters on the right side but you made it look easy!!

ben Alexander January 20, 202217:43 Reply

💚💖 Muri 💖💚

A nice double, in collaboration and the acrostic. You complement each other well.

I identify deeply with both of these poems. Susi’s sentiments are so accurate in describing introversion and the need to recharge depleted emotional energy, as are yours, David. And man, that double-acrostic format! I have a feeling it was likely difficult, but you make it look so smooth! Two big thumbs-up for both of you. 😉