Electric Chairs Do Not Light Up The Dark. Poem by shel cope

Electric Chairs Do Not Light Up The Dark.

Rating: 5.0


Ungrateful biped!
A life too short to be small,
spent bruising noses.

Electric chairs do not light up the dark,
but then, self understanding,
looking backwards without turning round,
never was your strength.

You make riddles out of answers,
maps more real than the world,
hide secrets that you do not have.

Why is tyranny always better organised
than freedom, and happiness so hard-hearted?

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Alison Cassidy 24 March 2008

Brilliant, original images that express powerful emotional paradoxes. Your title is superb. Your frustration is evident. Your skill is enormous. love, Allie ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

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Roger Cornish 22 March 2008

'Why is tyranny always better organised than freedom, and happiness so hard-hearted? ' I agree with H below... and yet those lines hold their own answer.... That's the beauty of poetry. R.

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Original Unknown Girl 17 March 2008

I love this Shel. Your poetry always intrigues me. So many layers.... The last two lines are so very true. Understand perfectly. HG: -) xx

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