Good day, my friends! I hope everyone is enjoying a good Friday. Personally, I thought the first one was pretty decent, though the sequels felt forced. Alas, who hasn’t forced something, or tried anyway, against their general best interest? It’s practically my entire career!
So, banalities aside, it’s been quite a while. I’ll confess, the global turmoil, rise of obsequious yet vile AI and a very human loss of hope and purpose have all contributed to my absence. Fully realizing the hypocrisy(?)((inadequate empathy? selfishness? It seems I cannot properly articulate the principle…)) of how well I live in comparison to others, which, to me, negates any turmoil I may be experiencing. That’s not how we (humans) work, though. Plenty of financially blessed individuals are miserable. Many who are loved struggle at times to love. Often, in my experience, what or who you have does not equate to who I myself may be. Input may equal output, but there are still too many unknown variables for even the most ardent calculus enthusiast to solve. Incidentally, what do you call it when someone adores derivatives? Calcul-lust. I am sorry. Anyway, I think where we’re going here is that all suffering is valid, all pain relevant. None is discounted because others may be worse. Maintaining empathy for everyone, especially myself, so often forgotten by the wayside, personally, feels essential.
So, why am I back now? The geo-political turmoil is worse than ever, as equally technology and the ultra-wealthy are growing ever more insidious and despicable. Not everyone obviously, but a non-insignificant proportion. My thoughts turned recently to the meaning of life. The actual one, not the transcendent film, though, my goodness, what an artistic achievement. I have enormous respect for comedy, not always easy to make people laugh, I should know! Anyway, I’ve found purpose recently in my work, ensuring the safety of children. That has provided great meaning to my existence. Beyond that, however, it’s doubtful any children of my own will be entering the picture at this point, so what will I leave behind? These poems are of variable quality, but each does represent an authentic moment of my soul. Well worded or not. It’s funny, the number one piece of feedback I get from this endeavour is that people really enjoy this pre-ramble but don’t get the poems. Unappreciated in my own time. No problem here. I know people have found comfort and inspiration here in the past, and that is more than enough. I see the analytics, almost a thousand people open each email (many just to unsubscribe! 😊), and if one single person is assisted in any way by these words, then it is more than worth the effort. Also, thank you so much everyone who has been reading despite my insane absence. It really motivates to see people seeking out my work of their own volition. Blows me away, actually.
OK. Shall we at last move on…
“Dante’s Freak”, May 22, 2025.
The volcano’s dormancy’s
Fragile, temporary state
Independent, candid pleas
Form naught more than useless bait
Always pending eruption
A true yawning chasm wide
Molten rock and corruption
Leaving nowhere left to hide
However in its scorched wake
Virgin islands will emerge
Queer balance of give and take
Through which a peace may converge
Looking back to distant time
Before the explosion’s wrath
Prior to clarion chyme’s
Forged uniquely brighter path
Wreckage and sulphurous burns
Owed peculiar gratitude
Wounded, heart-scarred essence yearns
Far beyond mere platitude
So granting peaceful slumber
Seeming optimal result
Brokered peace, agreed number
Lulling back final tumult.
Are you still with us? Well done! There are some lines in the middle of which I am greatly fond. The opening and ending could use yet another polish but it was ready enough.
Funnily, I barely ever read or listen to other people’s poetry. Not sure why, I just never have. That said, I stumbled across a gentleman doing a spoken performance which was almost like a comedy set mixed with emotional revelations. It was really cool. You can do some really neat things when you are the one delivering the lines. Seems fun, stay tuned, may give it a whirl.
Alas, my artistic fire burns to embers, and it is time to say a very fond farewell. [In an amusing coincidence, my building’s fire alarm just went off for an extended period, and we all had to go outside and wait for the fire department. No fire. Poem just mediocre, so all is well. Snark.]
Much love to you all, may blessings assail you, and golden retrievers pull on their leashes to receive your unique pets. Please remember, YOU. ARE. WORTHY. Full stop.
Happy Trails and Waggy Tales!
-Alex Blaikie
Dread Poets Sobriety 
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