by

Less Than Nothing — Poetry

ghost

~for the Universal You~

I may as well be a ghost
as far as you bother—
every time I display myself
you turn the other way

this curse has lingered
from childhood – ignored
thru adulthood – scorned
into marriage – rejected

even now as I sling
inky tar against cotton
my stains never cross
the divide of your mind—
my oblivion complete

reduced to an aberration
even my haunts elude you

©April 2014, Lori Carlson

7 thoughts on “Less Than Nothing — Poetry”

  1. Elle says:
    April 8, 2015 at 6:36 pm

    Lori, this poem was so raw and honest it gave me chills. that second stanza i know all too well in my own life. that third stanza, just brilliantly written and excellent conveyance of thought/feeling! this was a powerful piece. I’m so glad to have found your words.

    Reply
    • Lori Carlson says:
      April 8, 2015 at 6:47 pm

      Thanks, Elle… I appreciate your comments. I tend to write melancholy poetry, as people have called it. I am grateful that you are reading me.

      Reply
      • Elle says:
        April 8, 2015 at 6:48 pm

        I’m mostly a melancholic writer myself so I’m drawn to your way with words. nothing wrong with a bit of somber prose! 🙂

      • Lori Carlson says:
        April 8, 2015 at 6:58 pm

        *laughs* sometimes I wish I could write happy poems like some do… I’ve tried, but even my seemingly happy poems have a bittersweetness to them.

      • Elle says:
        April 8, 2015 at 7:13 pm

        embrace your style! imagine if Plath or Woolf had tried to force “happy” poems.

      • Lori Carlson says:
        April 8, 2015 at 7:23 pm

        I am trying to embrace it… I’ve studied both of those writers extensively, as well as Anne Sexton and Robert Lowell.. they also wrote confessional, melancholy type poetry. I don’t think my poetry draws a wide audience though. Maybe the confessional period is truly dead.

      • Elle says:
        April 8, 2015 at 7:47 pm

        no, no, it is not dead! we will keep it alive!

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