Elder Shadow poem

Elder shadow Poem (aka Falling Shorts)
strong lover got me here...

who learned to feel happiness
without needing the drugs
without the perfect sunset
the beautiful woman
the handsome reflection
in the mirror...
and the shadow that throws is the Hermit

be greedy for happiness
build walls, keep it to yourself
avoid interaction
lock yourself up with all that’s good
and throw away the key

and if happiness depends on nothing external
this gives rise also to Nowhere Man
who sees no point in its pursuit
and lacks all ambition in his heart

have no direction, be what happens
let the world wash thru, become what you see...


strong magician got me here...
finding a safe path thru, sometimes
being where trouble wasn’t...
the shadow that throws is Smallness
maybe so small, death wont notice i’m here
but then maybe life wont either...
and strong magician knew
how powerfully the ideas universe mirrors the real...
how much magic, how much gift, holding a new album in his hands
Trapped Merlin is the shadow of that understanding
lost in the crystal cave of the endless repetition
distraction, inventiveness
the illusion of TV and media
controllling him

strong warrior got me here
loneliness, depression, selfabsorbtion
early life threatening illness, addiction
and many more deadends and opportunities
all fought, all on his own

inner warrior
and the shadow of that vigilance
is The Guardian (the Two of Swords)
who wont let anything threaten
who guards only the self
who wont show up if there’s charge
and accusation in the air...
nothing must harm his charge

and the king...
in his growing old age
supposed to be slowly and surely
becoming the epitome of wisdom
the firmest of handshakes
with an answer for everyone’s pain...
my king throws many shadows
the Mad Monarch
fears his own mind’s deterioration
the King in Exile
wants that he be still young
the King Whose Heart is Stone
has no feelings to give
to the news he reads...
he notes the awful detail
and turns the page
The Wounded King
blames the world for death
blames himself for his own
falling shorts
blames everyone else for theirs...
and The Dreaming King
much like Trapped Merlin
but in a more knowing way
would really rather not know
x dp

David Pugsly’s poem ‘Elder Shadow'