Cliffhanger

by Bob Shank   Jan 11, 2016


Cliffhanger

Teetering on the edge
staring into the darkness below
the swirling emptiness
reminds me of my soul
a bottomless pit
filled with hopes and dreams
never to be reached

and yet I dangle
day after day

I should have leapt by now
to discover new depths
or to end old disappointments
but like the punch drunk boxer
whose pride refuses to quit
and never intelligent enough
to realize it is time
I shall battle on

yet it would be so easy
to throw in the towel
submit to uselessness
to martyr myself
but it is not my pain
nor my suffering
that approaches the edge
it is yours
and my desire to take it
into the depths of my very soul........

Bob Shank
I wish that I could sacrifice myself
for the pain of the world, especially the children,
but then I realized I am among the multitude...

    report violation
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Latest Comments

  • 7 years ago

    by mossgirl19

    Beautiful, captivating and inspiring all at once.

  • 8 years ago

    by Rsan

    Excellently penned..

  • 8 years ago

    by Dreamofolwin

    Powerful writing... very indepth.. reaching the soul. I
    I love it.

    A deserved win! :)

  • 8 years ago

    by Maple Tree

    Judging comment

    This writer has his own style and way of writing that leaves the reader speechless.

    I admire poets who can reach into the darkness of their soul and stick to the principles of the way they choose to write. This poem reads with flow and elegance.

    To take on the pain and anguish of others, to take the pain away.... the suffering of humanity... that is what I am reading with this piece. Bob has went above and beyond with perfection in this poem, just beautiful!

  • 8 years ago

    by Em

    A very deep poem that a lot of people can relate to as it talks about lifes hardships and battling through then no matter how hard we want to give up.

    Captivating non the less.

    Well done

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