The Line

The line.
They're everywhere, you know.
Also known as boundaries,
lines are things that one aught not to try and cross.

Repercussions.
That's what one receives
when circumstances lend one's self
towards a place where one just may end up crossing a line.

South Africa.
In order to catch a monkey,
fruit is placed in a tree with a hole in it, the size of their empty hand
and when the fruit is clutched in the monkey's hand...

captured.
Because he won't let go.
Now it's too late, because he's committed and he's crossed a line.
Now all he can do, is simply wait for his captor.

Reasoning.
His little mind tried reasoning,
but his body remembers the joy that the fruit does bring;
so he crosses the line regardless, and awaits for the acceptance of his consequences.

My captor.
You understand that it is you, right ?
Just like the monkey that will not release the fruit, I've crossed the line
so please, take me away with you...and be my consequences.

— docmaverick, Jul 10, 2009

About This Poem

About the Author

Region, Country: The High Desert, in the wild west, southern California, U.S. of A.., USA

Favorite Poets: Keates, Poe, Dickinson, and Dr. Seuss. There are a smattering of others, but why bother listing 'em all, ya know?, I also rely on a few of our poets, here....for advice, and what not. I couldn't possibly explain what a fountain of live, effective knowledge we have...right here in our midst ! To catch a glimmer of brilliance, merely visit: the Stream.

Critiques

Arrow

16 years 10 months ago

Great image -

the trapped monkey (I think Tolstoy also used a monkey image in War and Peace to describe how the French? were killed because they refused to leave their plunder to escape). I like all the periods, which give your lines a sense of finality. My only complaint is the end. The last line is great but I wish you had gotten me there more subtly. I felt like the prior two lines were too--obvious? I'm not sure that's the right word. Maybe just eliminating a portion would work: My captor. I will not release the fruit. I’ve crossed the line so please, take me away with you…and be my consequences. Just a couple of other things: *The line.: Should this be "Lines."? It's plural everywhere else in this stanza. *lines are things that one aught not to try and cross.: aught --> ought *fruit is placed in a tree . . . size of their empty hand: their --> its *captured.: I know this is the end of a sentence but it feels like it should be capitalized *Now it’s too late(,) because he’s committed and he’s crossed a line.: no comma *Now all he can do(,) is simply wait for his captor.: no comma I enjoyed this. Thought-provoking.