political poetry – Page 4 – The Daily Writing of Jackie Wright

Quitting

23. Apr, 202023. Apr, 2020 jackiewrightauthorLeave a comment

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They say: “I wish you truly saw yourself and your worth.”

And no matter how I swear that I do, they remain deaf

When I respond – I’m not self-conscious, I’m just bored,

They say: “I wish you weren’t a perfectionist, that’s so destructive.”

Not a single day they’ve chased anything they believed in

But they’re teaching me how to be productive?

They say: “I have this big dream, brighter than yours, and I’ll make it work.”

No backbone, no life lessons, no time for my small successes.

But they’re always surprised that I listen to them with an obvious smirk.

They say: “I don’t have time right now but when I do, I’ll force myself back into your life as if your universe revolves around me. Doesn’t it? Please make time, not excuses.”

…

I was patiently waiting for the right time to speak up but no more.

There’s no friend in someone whose ego depends on digging open your bruises.

There’s no friend in someone who doesn’t hear when you refuse,

There’s no friend in someone who only abuses

When the time is right, when it’s perfectly fitting…

For months now I’ve been dreaming about quitting,

And I promised I won’t take up dreams without fully committing

So here we go.

-JW

Fine

19. Apr, 202019. Apr, 2020 jackiewrightauthor1 Comment

Picking up the pieces after I exploded with rage wasn’t the hardest part.

It was more difficult to promise I’ll love you till death do us part.

I wouldn’t promise my endless, undying devotion to anyone, rest assured,

But you bent my neck so sharply I couldn’t breathe, and I felt cured.

Sewing my severed pieces together from scratch wasn’t annoying.

Boys will be boys; and it happened to be me, entering in the midst of them toying.

I wouldn’t forgive the scars on my pale, cold skin, yet I would forgive you –

It just seems better when he’s the one who harms, and also the one you screw.

Stitching my freshly spilled brain together from the bathroom walls is fine.

How come he was so patient? I had one drink too many. Or maybe nine?

I wouldn’t be alive today if he didn’t give me that steady push with a fist.

As soon as I saw red in my hair I knew I’ve made it into the naughty list.

It’s fine. Really, it’s fine. I’ll take the risk.

-JW

Grudges

8. Apr, 20208. Apr, 2020 jackiewrightauthorLeave a comment

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When I die, I will become the queen of the clouds.

Not that I would ever go to heaven – straight to hell, without any doubts.

I just think that my freshly vanished body would haunt people’s dreams,

It would reappear in their nightmares so often they would run out of screams.

They would take me out and right up to the judge –

But no matter what they said, I would act like I was holding a grudge.

The moment they look away, I’ll be gone and off to take the throne.

I think ruling the up above is also reserved for royals who once have been overthrown.

-JW

Haunting

6. Apr, 2020 jackiewrightauthorLeave a comment

I want to see the world light up and dance with the apocalypse,

I want to embrace letting my life go and die with you.

Jump with you into the abyss.

I’ll never fully own you and, for what it’s worth, I’m glad I won’t.

I’d rather see you in safe distance than in my fever dreams,

Daunting on every living creature I haunt.

But honestly, I’m ready to go if it means you’re right there,

Our palms touching, ground trembling with fear and excitement.

Pain is numbing, bruises – extremely severe.

Every building that goes down around us is another hope to survive.

I might feel like I’m dancing with apocalypse on my own

But as long as you’re alive, I’m not running out of time.

–JW

No Pressure

3. Apr, 20203. Apr, 2020 jackiewrightauthorLeave a comment

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I must be missing the substance of all your allegories.

The sentences peel my skin with disgust when they say:

“You’re a lady, you should have some better worries.”

“Are you dating and are you planning a kid, tell me!”

They need to hear my convenient answers.

But everything I want is for my mind to be handled safely.

Crawled out of the hold of anxiety, beat the monster in the mirror,

For a year and a half I’ve been able to breathe without pain

But the pressure is quietly kicking in, it’s a silent killer.

Why can’t I simply be undecided and live one day at the time?

Why can’t I have the choice and the cash,

why can’t it all be mine?

Why is my every step analyzed as if it’s colored in lime?

-JW

Antidote To Sentiment

1. Apr, 20201. Apr, 2020 jackiewrightauthorLeave a comment

It is a never ending task to bring together the two coasts of the sea.

The reddest of reds will fill the shores to conjure, to fulfill the prophecy.

Three winters ago the waters froze so deep it felt as if we’ve never seen spring.

Three winters ago I was a bird with an injured wing. All I could do was sing.

But the waves kept crashing on my knees, they were begging me to stay.

Two coasts of the sea sunk more and more into the foolishness of dismay.

Picking one was the destiny, staying on both was a suicide, by hanging.

The antidote to my own sentiment is buried under the corpses I left without thanking.

-JK

Out Of Touch

31. Mar, 202031. Mar, 2020 jackiewrightauthorLeave a comment

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The tenderness has evaporated and all I’ve got is rage.

I was dying by the mic but you took over the stage,

Not thinking twice. Isn’t it funny?

I do the work and the overtime but you get the money.

I travel to the scariest corners of my sanity,

Surprised of how calmly I treat your vanities.

Why do I have to suffer for a dollar while you keep yelling

That money doesn’t bring happiness – unless I’m buying what you’re selling?

The treatments aren’t making me better, they’re making me dizzy.

When I’m drowning faster in sinking sand, you’re rooting for the scene to get grisly.

Every death threat sings me your name like a symphony –

If you snap my neck, will it be my tyranny or bigotry

That made you pull the trigger? Sure, it will always be me that’s out of touch.

“No mercy for an inconvenient lady,” you said.

“Let’s take the volume up a notch.”

But there is still no tenderness left. Just wrecks.

No empathy for those who sharpen knives on other’s necks.

I was dying from your cuts but you took over the stage,

Not thinking twice. Isn’t it funny?

Animals live on pedestals while I’m stuck in a cage.

-JW

Bitter

28. Mar, 202028. Mar, 2020 jackiewrightauthorLeave a comment

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Here’s a bitter pill to swallow: they don’t need me if I don’t show them sympathy first.

They’re doing great. Everything’s lovely. The moment it’s not, they drink up my empathies with a godless thirst.

Too bad I’ve been too blinded by our history, reflecting into the unknown. I missed the warning signs.

I should’ve never taken up another beggar after one already tore my core into a painting of alarming sights.

But I’m not motivated by the anger. I’m writing this because no one’s here on these dawning nights.

It all passes once the sun starts creeping up the horizon, yet the bitterness is not erased by these morning lights.

I’m mourning our fights.

The thought of never seeing them again fills me with ease so maybe I should keep my heart locked away?

In the cupboard, next to a broken glass and shivering illusions of safety, shining brighter than the signs of Broadway…

Maybe I should built a festival out of this little hideaway,

Just for myself.

But I’d rather do it like Hemingway.

Here’s a bitter pill to swallow: they would need me more if they could add me on their resume.

-JW

A Screw to Tighten

27. Mar, 202027. Mar, 2020 jackiewrightauthorLeave a comment

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The pressure to dislike yourself is the next great invention.

It’s not a wheel, you can reinvent it.

So go ahead, we’ll buy more extensions even when we get our pensions.

The riots on the streets are only static playing in the radio.

Why accept if you can always improve with pills and some cardio?

If it fails, at least you’ll die trying or even die pretty –

That’s a bargain, take it! Maybe they’ll invite you to the big city.

Don’t focus on nutrients, they don’t make you skinny, silly!

Suck in your cheeks while smiling, dear,

Keep your head semi-high and attitude – chilly.

Never let them know you’re difficult. Or your cons.

You’re mostly cons so, please, keep quiet for once!

I hate that dress on you. Aren’t these pants too tight for a stranger in the street?

With that attitude… No wonder no one wants you in their sheets!

How come you’re not married? Such a waste of symmetrical face.

The ass could use some work but no one is only straight A’s.

That would be boring – not having a screw to tighten here and there.

And you can’t have special treatment for ravishing eyes, it’s not fair!

The pressure to dislike yourself is the next great invention.

Yet you only invest in getting it patented if you pay it

attention,

your tension,

pretention.

-JW