A Subject I Know Well: An Apostrophe to Death | Teen Ink

A Subject I Know Well: An Apostrophe to Death

February 28, 2012
By AlaskaFrost GOLD, Acushnet, Massachusetts
AlaskaFrost GOLD, Acushnet, Massachusetts
17 articles 7 photos 131 comments

I am engulfed by night,
inscrutable and infinite,
perpetual blackness.
There was nothing of me
after your visit. You took me
and led me to oblivion, alone to fade,
wither into a hollow shell,
break and disintegrate into dust
swept away by the wind.

And now that I am blacker than this blackness,
caged under your sunless roof, and
left with the unbearable stench of decay,
I wonder how you snare your victims,
how cunning your devices must be
to have imprisoned me in my own self.
(Clever, clever)

But I am not fading anymore.
My fingernails are crusted with dirt, your darkest stuff, and
Around me lay the ruins of what once was,
rotting carcasses strewn everywhere
being swallowed by the dust
gnawing at the remains.

I can see this now as a luminous source
pierces through your dark -
(evidently you missed a spot - a fatal error).
I could bathe in this moonlight, anoint myself in your dust.
No, I will not decay.

No fading, All raging,
-Death, you have failed.

The author's comments:
This is not about physical death, but rather it's about death of self (and eventually finding yourself). The word "subject" in the title has a double meaning, and I subconsciously drew from John Donne. I only realized the connection after the fact.

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This article has 22 comments.


on Sep. 1 2012 at 7:18 pm
AlaskaFrost GOLD, Acushnet, Massachusetts
17 articles 7 photos 131 comments
thank you so much! out of curiosity, in what way/where is it inconsistent? i just want to know so i can maybe fix it and also use that for future poems!

on Sep. 1 2012 at 7:17 pm
AlaskaFrost GOLD, Acushnet, Massachusetts
17 articles 7 photos 131 comments
thanks so much!

butterfly123 said...
on Jun. 7 2012 at 12:19 pm
butterfly123, Banglore, Other
0 articles 0 photos 408 comments
hey! loved it! your words and language was absolutely amazing. i was drawn in from the second i started reading. it had this nice but inconsistent flow. i'm going add this to my favourites. great work and keep writing :D

on May. 28 2012 at 11:08 pm
Jessi_suarez1 GOLD, Kissimmee, Florida
16 articles 0 photos 98 comments
marvelous! i loved it ! it was sooo deep its like i can feel ur emotions through the words. very good i loved it :)

on May. 28 2012 at 4:45 pm
AlaskaFrost GOLD, Acushnet, Massachusetts
17 articles 7 photos 131 comments
thank you sooooooooooo much!!!

on May. 28 2012 at 4:44 pm
AlaskaFrost GOLD, Acushnet, Massachusetts
17 articles 7 photos 131 comments
wow thank you!!

on Apr. 10 2012 at 4:36 pm
SpringRayyn PLATINUM, Lakeville, Minnesota
34 articles 2 photos 658 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Don't punish yourself," she heard her say again, but there would be punishment and pain, and there would be happiness too. That was writing."
--Markus Zusak, "The Book Thief"

I really like the way you used parenthesis in this poem, I've never read something like that here. So unique! It makes me want to try and write one with parenthesis. It's the type of poem that makes me have to turn of all the music around me to read, and I like that a lot. Really intelectual (sp?) and I really like it!

Kiyoko GOLD said...
on Apr. 9 2012 at 10:14 pm
Kiyoko GOLD, Knoxville, Tennessee
10 articles 0 photos 43 comments

Favorite Quote:
Independence is my happiness, I view things as they are without regard to place or person. My country is the world, and my religion is to do good. - Thomas Paine

This is very nicely written! I like the idea of the "death of self" versus the typical physical death. Death of self is equally terrifying, just not as frequently recognized. The lines that are in parenthesis are very nice additions to the poem - they add a touch of the conversational, personal feel without going overboard. Wonderful work. 

on Apr. 9 2012 at 7:56 pm
AlaskaFrost GOLD, Acushnet, Massachusetts
17 articles 7 photos 131 comments
wow thank you!! :)

on Apr. 9 2012 at 7:48 pm
eternal_sunshine SILVER, Minnetonka, Minnesota
8 articles 0 photos 46 comments

Favorite Quote:
Laugh, and the world laughs with you;
Weep, and you weep alone.
For the sad old earth must borrow it's mirth,
But has trouble enough of its own.

Wow! How unique and so well written. It felt very personal, and your word choice made it very real. I had to read it a few times, but I think your message was powerful. It flows and reads very well. Nice job! :)

on Apr. 9 2012 at 4:41 pm
AlaskaFrost GOLD, Acushnet, Massachusetts
17 articles 7 photos 131 comments
haha thanks!!

on Apr. 9 2012 at 4:40 pm
AlaskaFrost GOLD, Acushnet, Massachusetts
17 articles 7 photos 131 comments
thank you!

on Apr. 9 2012 at 4:36 pm
AlaskaFrost GOLD, Acushnet, Massachusetts
17 articles 7 photos 131 comments
thank you!

on Apr. 9 2012 at 4:14 pm
AlaskaFrost GOLD, Acushnet, Massachusetts
17 articles 7 photos 131 comments
Wow thank you so much!!! :D

on Apr. 9 2012 at 4:14 pm
AlaskaFrost GOLD, Acushnet, Massachusetts
17 articles 7 photos 131 comments
thank you!! :)

on Mar. 26 2012 at 9:39 am
maizyiscrazy GOLD, Washington, District Of Columbia
10 articles 53 photos 261 comments

Favorite Quote:
I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe in miracles. ~Audrey Hepburn

Woow!! I love this! It's REALLY good!

on Mar. 21 2012 at 11:34 pm
Jessi_suarez1 GOLD, Kissimmee, Florida
16 articles 0 photos 98 comments
i must admit this was indeed excellent ! very well written and constructed. good job :)

on Mar. 19 2012 at 7:12 am
loveissmiles GOLD, Lynn, Indiana
13 articles 0 photos 102 comments

Favorite Quote:
"I live for the nights I can't remember with the people I will never forget." -Carassisa M-<3

"What the mind can perceive, the body can achieve." -Softball Coach Steve B-

wow. this is incredible. Definately my style. Painfully true. Insanely beautiful. morbidly enlightening. Perfect. Do not change a thing, and i am in awe that this isnt in a magazine.

 

also if you could give me feedback on either "O-V-E-R" or "So Freaking Numb." Either one, or both if you feel really helpful, it's your call. Thaks. You are a truly inspiring writer. :)


on Mar. 18 2012 at 11:16 pm
Behind_a_Plastic_Smile GOLD, Roseville, California
17 articles 1 photo 129 comments

Favorite Quote:
"if you're not 1st you're last"

Wow-jus wow! That was jus stunning! Esspecially those last two lines. 5/5

on Mar. 18 2012 at 12:43 pm
Eshshah PLATINUM, Galloway, New Jersey
32 articles 31 photos 239 comments

Favorite Quote:
"The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep." -Robert Frost

this is a great poem! not really my style (I write happy, cheesy poemses) :) but really good anyway- five stars!