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Reaction Anxiety

press buttons,  pull levers
toggle switches,  trip springs

stand back
feign shock..
seek the support of others
you’re a victim..

stir the embers wind up
those around you
taunt with accusing cues
the abuser you seek
to invoke  to response

choreographed abuse
for your twisted
pathological amusement
basking in your
manufactured persecution

press your correction
nitpick through
gratuitous grudges 
such a director
of swift dramatic invocation
an award to you..

but it is blemished
and we spelled your name wrong


— IKnowNoBox, Jun 21, 2008

About This Poem

About the Author

Region, Country: East Coast, USA

Favorite Poets: Weird Elf, Shel Silverstein, The Poet Anonymous

More from this author

Critiques

RSScheerer

RSScheerer

17 years 11 months ago

Dabbler

You spark my curiosity with this piece. It's well written and very strong. Best, Ronda
I

IKnowNoBox

17 years 11 months ago

In the not to distant past

I was an easy target to such people, I made the mistake of actually investing interest in what they thought of me and my associates, such people can strip a social structure, or undermine a group. They usually praise themselves, or do the "I told you so." routine, after their demented domininos fall. I am happy to say, that through stable dynamics in a group, a group if not protected from such characters, there is at least a way to lessen the impact, from such an intrusion, and that is, Full Communication, regardless of what the "new face" seems to interpite as happening, go to the origin group. In ink, Dabbler
Q

Quillsvein1

17 years 11 months ago

this whole

poem is exactly on the head of the nail: i think i know the kind of people you're talking about, their manner, everything. seeking problems where there are none, basking in whatever illness they may or may not have, never at any point becoming interested in reality. that's just my interpretation--in any case, an intense and pleasurably frustrated piece! :-)
I

IKnowNoBox

17 years 11 months ago

Thank you Quills

They really seek the area under the skin, and they are only happy to watch as you shred your skin to eliminate them from your life, and then cry that you are being unreasonable in your actions. Is there hope for such people? I think it would require intense intervention, usually a hermitage is something that can start them in the right direction, a hermitage caused by "burning bridges" on the way to their "island". Becoming a survivor, and being around survivors is a step in the right direction as well. In ink, Dabbler
F

frangipangi

17 years 11 months ago

Anxiety

Hi Box, A strong piece indeed. Great drama. The lines "such a director of swift dramatic invocation an award to you..", is powerful and visual. The ultimate actor, Hollywood at it's best. Has anyone ever told you that you should be a writer! (smile) Yours, Fran
I

IKnowNoBox

17 years 11 months ago

Thank you Fran

With such people it is always cued to their script, if not they will signal the person that dares ad-lib to be the object of their contrived indignation, they will labeled rude in context from then on, until they fill their role. In ink, dabbler
infinite_dwarf

infinite_dwarf

17 years 11 months ago

David

Excellent write, just several small suggestions: First stanza, if you stick some commas in there (press buttons, pull levers) it will help with the flow. In the second stanza, the 'ed' on the end of feigned is unncessary. Either feigned shock or feign shock will do. I assume this piece is all about the repercussions of voting? Nice job. ~Jess K. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ~ "Everyone needs to believe in something. I believe I'll have another beer!" ~ "Your inferiority complex is better than mine!"
I

IKnowNoBox

17 years 11 months ago

A catchy angle Jess About Voting ...

I can see that in there.. *shivers.. such people at the poles.. what reactions do they seek there? Do I want that answer? *shivers. Thanks for the red ink btw. In ink, Dabbler