Home Base = everything else, right?

[xoxoxoBruce]

I wasn't sure where to put this, so here it be.
A working acquaintance of a friend, has written a booklet of 20 poems/prose. I don't think he's selling them, probably giving them to friends, but I don't know.
His name is Jeff Rath and the material is copyrighted. This one struck me as,.........unusual.
Language Exercises

You repeat the names of things
until the words lose meaning,
and only the naked object--or concept--remains
before you like an orphan.
You try this with your life:
"cruelty, infidelity, loneliness,”
trying to unlearn the emotions
attached to these words.

You say, "I'm sorry,"
whisper, "I love you,"
plead,"don't go,
I'll try harder from now on."

Beer and cigarettes don't help,
nor does the measured breathing
of the stranger sleeping beside you.
She was lonely, too,
or was a little drunk,
and had no words for why
she ended up on a barstool
next to you, letting you buy her drinks
until you stopped looking so fat and too old.

In the morning she will be gone,
but not before that
what-was-I-thinking look
greets you over the rim of your coffee cup.

Much too eagerly you will say:
"I had a nice time.
Could I see you again,”
in that cracked language of the lonely.
She might smile and say,
"sure," but you already know
she has repeated the word "loser"
over and over in her mind
until you become formless
and finally disappear from her sight.

Well, that was depressing. You seem to be going thru a rather bleak spell, Bruce. ??????

[Nothing But Net]

Unusual? He left out the part where you have to drive her back to her car. It's not hard to find, it's the only one parked at the bar at 11:00 am on Sunday morning.

[Elspode]

Bruce said it was the work of another. Yes, it is bleak, but painfully honest from a certain point of view.

I've seen this point of view in my life, and this is a pretty fine rendering of it, IMHO.

The piece picks out a moment in a life, and does not necessarily reflect a permanent state of mind. I think it is good work.

[jane_says]

Wow. I would say that piece conveys perfectly the feeling it was meant to. Ouch.

Oh, it's a nice bit of writing, don't get me wrong. Its just that Bruce has been quoting some kind of sad things lately. Usually, he's a bit more upbeat, that's all.

[ladysycamore]

Wow, that was great. Loved the raw honesty.

I have one too, just written a few days ago. Inspiration came from a talk that I had in my chatroom about how many renal patients feel about their situations.

"I Understand"
(aka The Renal Patient's Declaration of Independence)

On those days when you feel empty and alone,
I understand.
On those days when you are not as compliant as you should be,
I understand.
On those days when you feel tired and you feel you can't go on,
I understand.
On those days when you don't have a high regard for yourself,
I understand.
On those days when you are tired of the seemingly endless medications,
testing, appointments, etc.,
I understand.
On those days when you just want to scream and break things,
I understand.
On those days when you have done everything right but things
are still going wrong,
I understand.
On those days when you try to talk to friends and family, and they
still don't "get it",
I understand.

I understand, because I've been there.
I'm STILL there, and I may always BE in that place.
I don't know the future, because my future is unclear, unknown.
Nothing is guaranteed.
Who knows? Only time will tell and situations will dictate.

This isn't "negativity",
this isn't a pity party,
this isn't a cry for attention or help.

No one gets to determine what my feelings are and are not.
Only *I* do.

This is real...raw...honest emotions and feelings.
This is a part of me that can be controlled
when all else feels like it's out of my control.
A part of me that I can still call my own
while everything else is left up to the hands of fate.

I just know that when I have those days, I don't need or want
any advice, cliches, words of wisdom or suggestions.
To be told how to feel or what to feel.

I...we...just want to be...
Understood.

Understand?

"Unless you are walking in my shoes,
You don't have the right to map out my route."
Dr. George Keller

[xoxoxoBruce]

I understand.

That was very, very good, Lady Sycamore. Those words apply not only to renal patients, but ANYBODY who is forced to deal with a chronic condition. I sooooo UNDERSTAND! Thank you for sharing that.