Exorcism Through Verse... Poem by John Tansey

Exorcism Through Verse...

Rating: 5.0


Exorcism Through Verse
I

Since I was a child,
you have stalked, shadowed
and cornered me at every turn.
Springing out of every dark closet
and under every bed.

Scattering my family:
My father abandoned us,
and all I knew was dread…

While my Mother slipped into madness.

II

You infused it all within me:
This timidity for the world.
Like the rapid heartbeat of a small, nervous bird.

Even you, in your wickedness,
your dominion over all,
you, too, must be small, after all,
to terrorize children with such tragedy.

Is this your way of enlisting your legions,
to traumatize children so they learn hunger for revenge;
But, as always, you slouched ahead,
as I, sheepishly, followed by the tracks of your three toes.

III

As Adam gave names to the animals,
by which, he could then subdue them,

lessening their power.
I, so, sought through poetry,
To give a name to you and your horror.

So that, I too, by incantation;
Calling you by name,
Could tame and leash you;
make you powerless, neutered;

And let you out, only,
so to write and give you form.
And, thereby, exorcise the demon of you.

This was the Genesis of my poetry...
A lighthouse, warning others,
who might not see the deadly rocks.

IV

But no, no name, no description could define you.
Like before the heavens, you, too, are formless;
A spirit. born of the evil thoughts
that men, of free will, will freely do.

So, we blame you, O' lord of the flies,
when it was always we who committed the crimes…

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
READ THIS POEM IN OTHER LANGUAGES
John Tansey

John Tansey

Bronx, New York
Close
Error Success