An idiot is a man once you get to know him
with a heart of gold that a man don’t have,
raining the grass because no one understands.
Man loses the stars.
The sparkle.
The allure.
Through the years and years
in the wrinkles beneath his eyes.
He don’t see.
He can’t see.
His vision is blind by mist,
but the idiot believes. And.
Streams still flow never drying in drought
in scorn still mystified to supernatural worlds.
To the magic of fairies.
To great visions of children.
He knows what love is because he is.
A man.
While man dries withered like a prune.
In sun.
No longer a man,
but an idiot
in dust to dust
so unhappy. Man is.
When death becomes him.
Submitted: July 12, 2012
© Copyright 2023 jmurch. All rights reserved.
Comments
Sensational :) for me idiot means brainless, next level of stupid...
but then every adjective is a relative term and idiot is an adjective...
intuitive, so called gullible visionaries are not brainless, actually that is the next next next level of intelligent.
A normal man is actually a sheep passing judgments on non sheep species... not a flattering position.
So thought provoking and different poem... liked!
Author
Reply
I have not had very many of my fans look at this piece. I have always loved the flow of this particular piece. I modified it from its original look because I had used a line from it in another piece on booksie. I feel the line has more strength in the other piece, so I did a reworking of an old favorite of mine. Thank you for reading!
Sun, July 15th, 2012 9:03am
I like this a lot. Very meaningful, the message was clear and powerful... To me idiots are people who don't think but they assume that they're the brightest of all men, and normal, well, i would say it's synonymous with mediocre. And mediocre is what I would never want to be.
Mon, July 16th, 2012 1:07pm
Author
Reply
Thank you Nathan for looking! Your responses are always well thought and your critiques are always consiserate. I am always amazed at the interpretations of my work on here. The residents of Booksie are incrediby insightful. I might not always interpret exactly the same, but I find each interpretation amazing. Thank you!
Mon, July 16th, 2012 1:46pm
I think I would rather be an idiot than a man. Not so much because of what an idiot does have, but instead because of what a man doesn't have. I loved what that first two lines was saying how an idiot is still a man yet with more than a man. I think the form was really thoughtful. And what I liked, which happened more towards the end, it was like some setences had two separate parts yet they still connected as one. And I thought the short sentences really have an impact to each. I think there's a lot to be said about life and how it's looked upon, and how other's influence that judgement. I just have to keep reading this and reading this and pulling things from it again and again. It's just so... and now I'm looking for the right words but there's just nothing strong enough to describe it, but do believe me it's a great thing. Truly wonderful.
Thu, July 19th, 2012 9:02am
Author
Reply
I am enjoying the responses to this poem. When I write a poem, I seek unusual. I want themes very few will touch. I also have enjoyed your interpretation. You nailed my process to this piece a bullseye to the heart. Good mental eye my friend of the pen, just saying. I have found myself rereading this piece since I first wrote it...I cannot say this piece is a fan favorite, but I can say it makes me think. I do not always receive as much insight to my piece like you have given, and it is far more rare to hit my thought process dead center. You did this. Thank you for such an insightful read!
Fri, July 20th, 2012 5:10pm
powerful as always
M x
Author
Reply
It is older, but I refreshed it before submitting it. I have another piece I am loosely thinking about because of another tragic shooting in Colorado. It is older because I originally wrote it in 1999, but in recent days some new sad inspiration has come from the same geographic area. Stay tuned!
Mon, July 23rd, 2012 5:33pm
Incredible...powerful....I loved it!!!
Sun, July 22nd, 2012 8:23pm
Author
Reply
I am glad you liked this piece. I am still cringing with the thought of that Mouse Spider, by the way...:) Thank you me friend of the qwerty keyboard! :)
Mon, July 23rd, 2012 5:35pm
When I read this I was listening to music, and the lay out of this felt just like a song. Side that, awesome poem. This to me felt almost like judging oneself worth. Do we become more ignorant of the youth that we once were, or the youth of today. I look at myself and withered, am I an idiot now in my old age of that is what I know and once knew. I guess there could be a lot of different views but I loved this.
Wed, August 1st, 2012 5:57am
Author
Reply
You nailed the very essense of this poem...I wrote this with the thought that we lose something as an adult which carried so well in our lives as children. We look down on people, and we judge people. Young children are loving and do not always understand bias unless their path is following a biased adult. Children believe in magic.
Sat, August 4th, 2012 9:31am
This was really an atmost UNIQUE and STUNNING poem!!! you say that you like my writing i am telling you that i LOVE Yours!!! hehe* True born artist! Btw love the way you wrote the stanzas real interesting! O yeah! and correct me if i am wrong but this is the insight that i got in the poem; That the idiot is more treasureable because he has imagination like the children you mentioned while the man is grown up-he might be understanding but he lacks the potential imagination and love!!! This was Beautiful!=]
Sincerly;
Lilly*
Author
Reply
Wow! How to I respond to the nice words of your comment Lilly. The idiot is a greater treasure lost as we become adults. The idiot is the outcast, but he or she understands the magic of life...while men look down on others and know of war and hate. I think one quality of my own poetry is I am not formally trained in the art of poetry. My training consists of school era writing and a bit of college. I do not even know what my poetry should look like. Lol. I think this leads to a far more raw edge to my writing. I hope my readers still find enjoyment in my writing with this confession.
nice one Murch ...
Fri, August 31st, 2012 3:43pm
Author
Reply
Thank you Insane. I do not think this piece completely reflects talent, but the words carried an easy flow within a ring of some truth about bias for me. I wanted to show that good can be found on others outcasted by society's idea of norm.
Sun, September 2nd, 2012 7:20am
Love the imagery and the picture you have painted using only words, great job as always loving your works and KMU ! Thanks :P
Wed, September 5th, 2012 11:17am
Author
Reply
This is an honor to hear the comment about loving the imagery and pictures painted in words. Why, you say? It is the words of someone who does know images and visuals. You are one of two I found on this site to blow me away with the picture as much as the words. Thank you Imagine! :)
Mon, September 10th, 2012 4:49pm
very insightful raises awareness that people are different but yet we should be accepting oh im back coming with new material
Sun, October 21st, 2012 5:52am
Author
Reply
Awesome! I really enjoy your work. I am returning as well, today, after a couple month disappearance. My house burned the day after the piece was written which I am about to submit today...so it is bitter sweet for me.
I haven't been to your page in a while. Thanks for leaving me a comment or I might have forgotten about you and your marvelous writing. Unique message and format. Very thought-provoking.
Thu, October 25th, 2012 8:42pm
Author
Reply
Thank you! This comment made my day. It is nice to see critical thoughts, but I have to say a well thought positive comment can make a day. It makes the writing worth the process.
Tue, October 30th, 2012 5:30pmFacebook Comments
More Poetry Poems
Discover New Books
Boosted Content from Other Authors
Book / Science Fiction
Book / Romance
Boosted Content from Premium Members
Book / Poetry
Poem / Romance
Book / Historical Fiction
Writing Contest / Flash Fiction
Other Content by jmurch
Short Story / Humor
Poem / Other
Miscellaneous / Other
Ian Dawn
Damn boy you had a real look in that mirror didnt you!
Fri, July 13th, 2012 3:24amWell done dude a real smack in the arse of man!
Author
Reply
Well...I did look in the mirror...see the cracks. I am glad you found the smack to mankind. I hate watching or listening to people who judge others based on their own bias. The way I see it, mankind starts and finishes life the same way...Thanks my aussie brutha!
Sat, July 14th, 2012 4:13am