Here is the sixth entry for my chapbook, On Worth and Worship! This one is actually an older one that I'm repurposing into the collection, and acts to both play into the theme, but also show my early writing to contrast with the improvements in my newer writing.

"Following that is Lines Composed as if Dead Ended, which takes a step back from the romance and reminds that audience that the beautiful potential it has isn't without potential to be ugly or apathetic. It is supposed to remind the reader that it, like any moral act, is made worthwhile through the positive effect it brings insofar as all dignities and rights are respected. This poem is one of my first poems and thusly suffers the consequences of inexperience, so it is immediately followed up by a poem I wrote after writing several other works."
-Excerpt from the foreword of On Worth and Worship

Thank you so much for reading!

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Old Description:

Here is a poem I wrote some time ago, during one night of sudden inspiration. Revised to be better than a draft. It didn't turn out quite as planned, but I'd say that is positive. Anyways, there is a message, and poetry is used as a story-telling medium to portray that message. The icon for this poem is what I was picturing as I wrote it, so it is useful in interpreting the poem.

I'm quite proud of this, so here it is for your reading pleasure!

This poem was inspired by the wonderful author  DrakeZephyr. Specifically from his story "Of Heroes and Dragons 2"


Click "Download" to see proper formatting and structure

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Full Text

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Lines Composed As If Dead Ended

Chasm, truth of reality
Split, I lay between these stones
Ethereal mist, alluring wind my way
Yes, culling
No, calling
Her intricate movements beckon mine own.

Think, shall this be the end
Gather, what more is there to win
Trapped, little chance for the better
Yes, this is possible’s best
No, something is off
Slave to bestial urges, not of heaven's sent.

Imperfect, truly it matters not
Forcèd, fulfill what can be
Inescapable, my fate surely is sealed
Yes, take the plunge
No, talk it out
Divine substance to convince divine substance.

"Oh, pardon me,
My gracious lady.
Is man not created in the image of God?
Then why, I pray thee, are we treated as all else on this common sod?
For all this time we together, this question has gnawed.
Dignity for dignity, I say,
But, ah, I see you have something else to parley."

"Ah, child, so blind are you and your kind.
Begging for life, are you sure you'll get what you hope to find?
If I treated your form as sanctity bound,
Then this place would be my burial ground.
Therefore, I treat you as to keep the cycle going ‘round.
A means to an end: sufficient
As it is, a nourishment."

Wonder, she knows naught
Scramble, what and how to talk
Blink, she's waiting for me.
Yes, I need to say it quick
No, I need to philosophize
An annoyèd growl tethers me to reality.

Around, this crevice still buys time
Ahead, host of monstrous beauty lies
Soon, the time must come
Yes, I must make my attempt
No, I will wait no longer
Perfection must be tried

"Oh, wondrous women, I plea.
I wish not death escape me.
Let this sacrifice be one to call sublime.
But it is with such apathy that hosts sin and grime.
For our dignity requires not life, but treatment more than just that of a mealtime.
As a body laid to rest
Love and respect must attest."

Patterns break

Heads tilt

Scales shift

"Oh... I see..."