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Missionaries Of The Spirit



I have seen missionaries of the spirit recede into the night

in unspeakable condition, having suffered grievous defeats.

I have severed away friendships and have taken delight

in the fact that I have traveled many stricken, needless streets.

I have heard both dogma and doctrine ruthlessly exposed,

and I have followed so many to the very edge of an abyss.

I have spoke of those violations that I righteous oppose,

that vex our lives with trouble but are difficult to resist.


I have been defiled by the multitudes who sought to assure

my sense of position in a constellation of grotesque pains.

I have used my gifts in a vain, narrow way in order to insure

another man’s fortune, rejoicing in my many ill-gotten gains.

I have sworn to restore every bridge that enables our union

and that speaks to my soul in a profound, lyrical verse.

I have abided so many broken promises and delusions,

justifying every action in the name of a self-inflicted curse.


I have marshaled grandiose visions of life I failed to attain

and have endured a life of punishment as my solemn reward.

I have been haunted by countless loves I was unable to retain,

and an attitude of desperation that I could not soon afford.

I have remained loyal to the image of life of my choosing,

wrecked by circumstance and warped by noxious desires.

I have pursued a score of frantic ends despite soon losing

any and all connection with that life-force that inspires.

I have not kept my own council despite all evidence

that my appetites have been shaped in profane ways.

I have assigned importance to trivia that assumed precedence

over reason, over love’s monumental and empowering gaze.

J.

Of your recent three I liked this one the best. There are some really good lines and thoughts here. A suggestion: the poems would be easier to read if you did not add the extra space between the lines. I think also if you did this you could see where a little judicious pruning would improve the poem i.e. I would rework the fourth line and omit "in the fact that" and in the eleventh line I would omit "in order."

I hope you keep writing.

What I post here is always a first draft, for better or for worse.

Regardless, thanks for the feedback, it is much appriciated, and always welcomed.

I have been there and this poem spoke to me, first draft or not. Thanks.